OneCoin Scheme Crumbles: William Morro Admits $35 Million Bank Fraud

The OneCoin Scheme case has unveiled a new participant, William Morro, apprehended by US authorities for bank fraud amounting to $35 million. Morro allegedly facilitated OneCoin's transfer of stolen investor funds through bank accounts in China and Hong Kong. His arrest and conviction add to the growing list of figures implicated in the massive Ponzi scheme, including Ruja Ignatova and Karl Sebastian Greenwood.

OneCoin Scheme Unravels: William Morro Pleads Guilty to $35 Million Bank Fraud

In a pivotal development in the ongoing OneCoin fraud saga, William Morro, a key figure in the scheme, has pleaded guilty to bank fraud involving a staggering $35 million. This latest arrest and indictment by the US Justice Department expose the intricate web of fraudulent transactions and illicit transfers that formed the backbone of the OneCoin Ponzi scheme.

Morro's involvement in the scam came to light on April 23rd, when the US district court filed charges against him for participating in a conspiracy to commit bank fraud. According to the indictment, Morro played a crucial role in laundering funds stolen from OneCoin investors, transferring millions of dollars through various bank accounts to conceal their illicit origins.

Between March and April 2016, Morro facilitated the transfer of over $35 million through China-based bank accounts. He subsequently moved an additional $6 million from Hong Kong accounts between April and June of the same year. To deceive banks and hide the source of these funds, Morro resorted to deceptive statements and false promises regarding their true nature.

Morro's connections to other key figures in the OneCoin scheme, including Gilbert Armenta, Ruja Ignatova's boyfriend, raise further questions about the depth and extent of the fraud. Armenta himself was sentenced to five years in prison in February 2023 for his role in the scam.

Morro's arrest and guilty plea represent a significant breakthrough in the investigation and prosecution of the OneCoin scheme. He now faces up to 30 years in prison for his involvement in the conspiracy to commit bank fraud. His sentencing is scheduled for August 1st, 2023.

William Morro has retained the legal services of renowned attorneys Mark Cohen and Jonathan Abernethy. Both lawyers have a proven track record in handling high-profile financial fraud cases.

In a related development, OneCoin lawyer Mark Scott, who was convicted of conspiracy, was recently granted bail pending an appeal of his case. Scott, who was found guilty of laundering over $400 million, played an active role in the scam's illicit activities.

OneCoin Scheme: A History of Deception and Greed

OneCoin, founded in 2014 by Ruja Ignatova and Karl Sebastian Greenwood, was marketed as a revolutionary cryptocurrency. However, it was later exposed as a Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors of approximately $4 billion.

The platform offered a nonexistent cryptocurrency and lured investors with promises of high returns. It shut down operations in January 2017, leaving many investors stranded and unable to withdraw their funds.

Ruja Ignatova, the mastermind behind the OneCoin scheme, disappeared in 2017 and remains at large. She is currently on the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" list, with a $250,000 reward offered for information leading to her arrest. Ignatova is believed to have had plastic surgery and traveled with armed guards.

The Unraveling of the OneCoin Scheme

The OneCoin scheme has faced intense scrutiny from law enforcement agencies worldwide. Several individuals associated with the platform have been arrested and charged with fraud.

Irina Dilkinska, the Chief Compliance Officer of OneCoin, was convicted of fraud and sentenced to four years in prison. Karl Sebastian Greenwood, a co-founder of the scheme, was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

The recent arrest and guilty plea of William Morro serve as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of white-collar crime. His actions, along with those of others involved in the OneCoin scheme, have shattered the trust of investors and undermined the credibility of the cryptocurrency industry.

As the investigation and prosecution of the OneCoin scheme continue, law enforcement agencies are committed to exposing the true extent of the fraud and bringing justice to the victims. The guilty pleas and convictions of those involved send a clear message that white-collar criminals will not escape the consequences of their actions.