Pastor of Kirkland, Washington, church indicted on ten counts of wire fraud and five counts of money laundering in $13 million fraud scheme

Seattle - The pastor of a Kirkland, Washington Christian congregation called 'Passion for Christ,' was arraigned today in U.S. District Court in Seattle on an indictment for wire fraud and money laundering in connection with a $13 million fraud scheme, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. Cristian Popescu, 46, of Bothell, Washington, is a citizen of Romania, residing in the United States. Popescu pleaded not guilty and trial is set for December 21, 2026.

"As alleged in the indictment, this defendant created the mirage of a successful, valuable online marketplace and social media site in one," said Acting U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd. "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."

"These charges allege that a religious leader abused the trust of his fellow believers to steal millions of dollars for his own personal benefit," said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. "Cristian Popescu defrauded dozens of his own church members through a series of elaborate lies, including promises of a future stock exchange listing and claims that the profits would benefit the community. The FBI and our partners will continue to follow the money to unravel these schemes and hold fraudsters accountable."

"Financial crime is not victimless and often destroys the lives of its victims," said Special Agent in Charge Carrie Nordyke, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Seattle Field Office. "Fraudsters use whatever means they can, including abusing their positions of trust, to swindle those who look to them for guidance and protection. IRS-CI refuses to stand idly by while these crimes devastate our communities, and we are proud to work with our partners to investigate and put an end to these schemes."

According to the indictment, as early as 2015, Popescu claimed to own and operate a Bellevue company called Followone, Inc. Popescu claimed the company had an internet platform that was both an online global marketplace and social network. He claimed users of the platform could buy and sell goods and services, including cars, real estate, health care, food, and travel. In fact, the platform was a web of non-functional screens and Popescu used lies and deception to attract more than 30 investors. Popescu's lies included: that the company earned millions in revenue; that it was about to be listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange; and that the company had grown the value of shareholder investments.

Popescu used his role as a pastor to recruit investors from his church, telling them that God had chosen them to invest in the company and that doing so would further the church's mission. Popescu told investors their investments would remain within Followone and that they could withdraw their money at any time.

Popescu was secretive in his communications with the investors, requiring them to sign non-disclosure agreements and use encrypted messaging services. When meeting in person with investors, he required them to turn off their phones and disable 'smart' devices such as Amazon's Alexa service.

Popescu maintained the image of a successful company by issuing his own press releases with false and misleading representations about the success of the company. He falsely claimed to have hired leading software engineers from major companies. He rented expensive office space in Bellevue and claimed to have twenty employees, when there were only three people working there.

Popescu told his victims they could be on the board of Followone Inc. if they reached $1 million invested. He urged victims to raid their retirement accounts, take out personal or home equity loans, and raid their children's college savings accounts.

Popescu used shell companies to make it appear Followone had business dealings with other companies. In fact, he was just using investor money to pay fake invoices and then used those payments to shell companies he controlled for his own benefit. Popescu lulled his investors by creating a website that claimed their investment had grown substantially in value. At one-point Popescu claimed Followone Inc had a value of $1.4 billion, when he knew it had little or no value.

Ultimately, the company was evicted from the expensive offices with an unpaid rent bill of more than $350,000. When investors wanted their money back Popescu stalled, claiming repayment would interfere with the stock listing. When investors pressed Popescu for more information about Followone or expressed doubts about Popescu's representations, Popescu invoked his position in the church, became irate, and told the investors they were demonically possessed.

Popescu transferred invested funds directly to his bank account. Then he used those funds for personal use or to fund Popescu's personal investment account. Popescu transferred over $4.5 million of Followone funds to accounts belonging to himself, his wife, and other family members. Popescu also paid himself over $1 million in Followone wages between 2017 and 2024. He paid his wife some $300,000 though she was not a Followone employee,

Popescu is charged with ten counts of wire fraud in connection with the solicitation and payment of investments. One victim invested nearly $1 million in one wire transfer, others were nearly $600,000 and $500,00. The five money laundering counts detail how Popescu transferred invested funds from the Followone account to his personal bank account for his use.

Over the objections of prosecutors, Popescu was ordered released on electronic monitoring while awaiting trial.

Wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Money laundering is punishable by up to ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The case is being investigated by the FBI and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI).

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seth Wilkinson.