FBI increases Dr Ruja reward to $5 million!
A theory on what that means
Was it something we said? Just a month after the latest episode of The Missing Cryptoqueen came out, the FBI yesterday increased the reward for information leading to Dr Ruja’s arrest: from $250,000 to a whopping $5 million. The joint highest reward of anyone on their Ten Most Wanted list.
Why? And why now?
First up, the timing might seem odd. But I honestly have no idea if it is related to our podcast. However, Dr Ruja was initially added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list the same week my book about her was published, back in 2022. Given the whole purpose of these notices is to raise awareness about these fugitives, my theory is that the FBI timed the notice for maximum publicity. They knew that - like every author with a new book - I would be more than happy to talk endlessly about their announcement. (And I did). It may be the same this time around.
Second, I don’t think this means the FBI has additional information about her whereabouts, or has received a flurry of new tip-offs over the last couple of weeks. I could be wrong of course - but a large increase in the bounty size suggests not. In the last episode of the podcast we examined a credible theory that Dr Ruja is not on the run - but may have been murdered in late 2018. It’s possible, but I remain uncertain. From my understanding, the FBI does not need ‘proof of life’ to add someone to their list, nor, presumably, to increase a bounty. Similarly, they only remove someone if they have definitive proof they are dead. Given the mysterious circumstances around her disappearance, that is extremely unlikely. So I don’t think this changes anything.
But there is one possible reason for the sudden increase. I always felt the initial reward ($100,000, later increased) was a carefully chosen number. If Ruja was on the run, she would likely come into contact with various airport officials, harbour staff, chefs working on private yachts, shop assistants. $100,000 would not convince any serious criminals to hand her over - but it might be enough for various service workers who might cross her path. That, it seems, hasn’t been fruitful. In the last episode of The Missing Cryptoqueen, we examined some of her connections to organized crime groups, and many people believe that if Dr Ruja is still in hiding, it will be with their protection. $100,000 wouldn’t persuade a junior member of a crime syndicate or a personal bodyguard to call the FBI’s hotline - it’s far too risky. But $5 million just might. So to me, the increased reward is a sign that the FBI are now refocusing their efforts on the people around Dr Ruja, trying to tempt her close associates to get in touch. We will probably know within a few weeks if it’s worked. Stay tuned.