PORTLAND, Ore. — A Ukrainian woman accused of helping operate a global cryptocurrency-based Ponzi and pyramid scheme has been extradited from Thailand to the United States to face federal charges in Oregon, prosecutors announced.
Olena Oblamska, 42, was extradited last Friday and appeared in federal court Monday, where she was arraigned on a charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. She pleaded not guilty and was ordered detained pending trial.
According to court documents, Oblamska and several co-conspirators allegedly promoted a platform known as Forsage as a decentralized investment project built on blockchain “smart contracts” and network marketing. Prosecutors allege the operation was falsely advertised as a legitimate, low-risk investment opportunity through the Forsage website and social media platforms.
Federal authorities say Forsage actually operated as a Ponzi and pyramid scheme that collected approximately $340 million from investors worldwide.
Investigators allege that when new investors purchased a “slot” in the Forsage system, their funds were automatically routed to earlier participants, a hallmark of a Ponzi scheme in which returns are paid using money from newer investors rather than legitimate profits.
Oblamska is scheduled to stand trial beginning July 14, 2026, in a four-day jury trial.
If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in federal prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford announced the extradition and charges.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Secret Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and international law enforcement partners in Thailand, including the Royal Thai Police and the Office of the Attorney General of Thailand.
Prosecutors handling the case include Trial Attorneys Sara Hallmark and Tian Huang of the Justice Department’s Fraud Section, along with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine A. Rykken and Meredith Bateman.
Federal officials are encouraging individuals who believe they may have been victims of the Forsage scheme to visit the Justice Department victim notification webpage for information about their rights and how to submit victim impact statements.
An indictment is an accusation of a crime, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
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