Washington Pastor Indicted Over Alleged $13 Million Fraud Scheme Targeting Church Members
A Washington state pastor has been indicted on federal charges after allegedly persuading members of his church to invest millions of dollars in a company he portrayed as a successful online marketplace, then using their money for personal expenses and stock trading. Cristian Popescu, 46, of Bothell, Washington, faces 10 counts of wire fraud and five counts of money laundering in the alleged $13 million scheme, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Popescu, pastor of Passion for Christ, a Christian congregation in Kirkland, pleaded not guilty when he appeared in federal court in Seattle. Prosecutors allege Popescu used his religious leadership to recruit more than 30 investors for Followone Inc., a Bellevue company he claimed operated a global marketplace and social network. The indictment alleges the platform was largely nonfunctional and that Popescu misled investors about the company’s success.
According to the indictment, Popescu began soliciting investments as early as 2015, claiming Followone allowed users to buy and sell goods and services, including cars, real estate, health care, food, and travel. He allegedly told investors the company was generating millions in revenue, preparing for a Nasdaq stock exchange listing, and increasing the value of their investments—claims prosecutors say were false. Popescu also allegedly told church members that God had chosen them to invest and that their money would advance the church’s mission. He encouraged some investors to tap retirement accounts, take out personal or home equity loans, and use their children’s college savings, according to prosecutors. Prosecutors allege Popescu used misleading press releases, expensive office space in Bellevue, and claims of having 20 employees to make Followone appear successful, when in reality only three people worked at the company. He allegedly used shell companies to make Followone appear to have legitimate business relationships, and investor funds were used to pay fake invoices before being transferred to companies he controlled. Popescu allegedly transferred more than $4.5 million in Followone funds to accounts belonging to himself, his wife, and other family members, and paid himself more than $1 million in company wages between 2017 and 2024, plus about $300,000 to his wife, who did not work for the company. At one point, he allegedly claimed Followone was worth $1.4 billion despite knowing the company had little or no value. The company was eventually evicted from its offices with more than $350,000 in unpaid rent. When investors sought their money back, Popescu allegedly told them repayment would interfere with the planned stock listing and accused skeptical investors of being demonically possessed. Popescu was ordered released on electronic monitoring while awaiting trial, despite prosecutors’ objections. His trial is scheduled for December 21, 2026. Wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count, while money laundering carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count. The FBI and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation are investigating the case.
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