Washington pastor accused of $13M fraud after telling investors God picked them to invest
Por Erin Keller — – World RSS Feed
Washington pastor accused of $13M fraud after telling investors God picked them to invest
The pastor allegedly inflated his tech company’s success with misleading press releases, falsely claiming it had 20 employees when it only had three
Erin Keller In Ohio Thursday 15 October 2026 16:16 EDT
- Bookmark
Bookmark popover
Removed from bookmarks
Close popover
.png)
open image in gallery
Become an Independent member to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.
Already a member?
Log in
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday
Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US
Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US
I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice
A Washington pastor allegedly defrauded more than 30 investors out of $13 million by promising lucrative returns from his tech company and claiming God had chosen them to invest.
Cristian Popescu, 46, who leads Passion for Christ, a Christian congregation in Kirkland, Washington, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to 10 counts of wire fraud and five counts of money laundering in federal court in Seattle, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington announced.
Prosecutors allege Popescu, who lives in Bothell and is a Romanian citizen, used his position as a pastor to persuade church members to invest in Followone Inc., a Bellevue-based technology company he claimed was worth $1.4 billion.
He allegedly urged investors to tap retirement accounts, take out personal and home equity loans, or withdraw money from their children’s college savings, according to a news release.
“Popescu lured investors from his church with fake marketing materials, websites, and expensive offices, and then took their money for his own luxuries and day trading, betraying them financially and faithfully,” Acting U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd said in a statement.
open image in galleryPopescu was released on electronic monitoring while awaiting trial, despite prosecutors’ objections. His trial is scheduled for December 2026.
According to the indictment, Popescu began promoting Followone in 2015 as a global online marketplace and social network for buying and selling goods, including cars, real estate, health care, food and travel.
But prosecutors allege the platform was largely nonfunctional, despite claims that it generated millions in revenue and was preparing for a Nasdaq listing. Popescu allegedly promised investors they could withdraw their money at any time and offered board positions to those who invested at least $1 million.
To make Followone appear successful, Popescu allegedly issued misleading press releases, claimed the company employed 20 people when it had only three, and rented expensive Bellevue offices.
The company was eventually evicted from the offices with more than $350,000 in unpaid rent, prosecutors say.
.png)
open image in galleryPopescu allegedly used shell companies and fake invoices to disguise the movement of investor funds and created a website displaying inflated investment values. He also required investors to sign nondisclosure agreements and use encrypted messaging services, according to the indictment.
When investors questioned the company’s finances or sought their money back, Popescu allegedly claimed withdrawals could jeopardize the planned stock listing. He reportedly became irate and told some investors they were demonically possessed when they challenged him.
More than $4.5 million in Followone funds went to accounts belonging to Popescu, his wife and other family members, prosecutors allege. He also allegedly paid himself more than $1 million in wages from 2017 to 2024, while his wife received about $300,000 despite not working for the company.
Individual investors allegedly lost hundreds of thousands of dollars. One transferred nearly $1 million in a single transaction, while others invested about $500,000 and $600,000.
The FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation are investigating the case.
If convicted, Popescu faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each wire fraud count, and up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each money laundering count.
More about
WashingtonSeattlearrestindictmentChurchmoney launderingfraud
Most popular
Popular videos
Bulletin
Read next
Fonte: – World RSS Feed