Kirkland Pastor Cristian Popescu Charged in Alleged $13 Million Church Investment Fraud

Published Oct. 20, 2026. Case status is current as of that date.

Investors were told that God had chosen them. According to a federal indictment, a pastor in Kirkland, Washington, used that message to raise about $13 million from more than 30 investors, many of them members of his congregation, for a Bellevue technology company that prosecutors say was little more than "a web of non-functional screens."

On Oct. 13, 2026, Cristian Popescu, 46, of Bothell, Washington, the pastor of a Christian congregation called Passion for Christ, was arraigned in U.S. District Court in Seattle on 10 counts of wire fraud and five counts of money laundering. He pleaded not guilty, and trial is set for Dec. 21, 2026 [1].

Important: Charges are allegations. Popescu has pleaded not guilty and is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Everything below describes what prosecutors allege.

Status: Indicted; pleaded not guilty; released on electronic monitoring over prosecutors' objections while awaiting trial [1][2].

How the alleged scheme worked

According to the indictment, as described by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Washington [1] and KING 5 [2]:

1. The company. As early as 2015, Popescu claimed to own and operate Followone, Inc., a Bellevue company with an internet platform described as both a global online marketplace and a social network where users could buy and sell cars, real estate, health care, food and travel. Prosecutors describe the platform as "a web of non-functional screens"; KING 5 reported the indictment says the website could not complete purchases or sales.
2. The faith pitch. Popescu allegedly recruited investors from his church, telling them God had chosen them to invest and that doing so would further the church's mission. KING 5 reported the indictment says he told them profits would support the church and community, particularly children and older adults.
3. The big claims. Prosecutors say he falsely told investors the company earned millions in revenue and was about to be listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange. An investor website allegedly showed inflated account values, at one point based on a claimed $1.4 billion valuation.
4. The props. He allegedly issued his own misleading press releases, rented expensive office space in Bellevue and claimed to have 20 employees when only three people worked there. To make the site look active, KING 5 reported, employees were directed to post car listings bought from another company.
5. The secrecy. Investors allegedly had to sign non-disclosure agreements and use encrypted messaging apps, and were told to turn off phones and smart devices such as Amazon's Alexa during in-person meetings.
6. The push for more. Investors were allegedly offered a seat on Followone's board if they reached $1 million invested, and were urged to tap retirement accounts, take out personal or home equity loans and use their children's college savings.
7. The stall. When investors asked for their money back, Popescu allegedly claimed repayment would interfere with the stock listing or an audit. When they pressed for information, prosecutors say he invoked his position in the church, became irate and told them they were "demonically possessed."

Where the money allegedly went

Prosecutors allege Popescu moved more than $4.5 million of Followone funds to accounts belonging to himself, his wife and other family members, and paid himself more than $1 million in wages between 2017 and 2024. He allegedly used shell companies he controlled to make it look like Followone had real business dealings, paying fake invoices with investor money [1]. KING 5 reported the indictment also alleges nearly $900,000 went to his personal stock trading account and about $1 million paid personal credit card debt [2].

The company was eventually evicted from its offices owing more than $350,000 in rent, according to prosecutors. One investor allegedly sent nearly $1 million in a single wire transfer [1].

"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 Charles 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" [1].

The FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation are investigating. Wire fraud carries up to 20 years in prison and money laundering up to 10 years [1].

Clarification carried by KING 5: the station noted that an early broadcast version of its story mentioned a Bothell church that had rented space to Popescu for a limited time, and that Popescu has no official connection with that church [2].

Why affinity fraud works

The SEC calls these "investment scams targeting groups." They "exploit the trust and friendship that exists in groups of people," and victims "may try to work things out within the group rather than notify authorities," the SEC's Investor.gov warns [3]. It also cautions: "Never let down your guard because someone you trust brought an investment opportunity to your attention."

Red flags

• A spiritual or community leader pitches a private investment, especially framed as a calling or a test of faith.
• You're told to keep it secret, sign an NDA or use encrypted apps. Investor.gov says to be suspicious if an opportunity must be kept "confidential or a secret" [3].
• An imminent IPO or stock-exchange listing that keeps getting pushed back.
• Pressure to use retirement savings, home equity or college funds.
• Board seats or titles in exchange for bigger investments.
• Questions are met with anger or spiritual accusations instead of financial statements.

What to do

1. Research the person and the investment, no matter how much you trust them. Check registration and disciplinary history with the free search tool at Investor.gov [3].
2. Ask for audited financial statements and verify any claimed listing directly with the exchange or in SEC filings.
3. Don't let group loyalty stop you from reporting. Contact your state securities regulator or the SEC at sec.gov/tcr.
4. If you invested with Followone, you can contact the FBI at tips.fbi.gov.

Case status (as of Oct. 20, 2026)

Defendant	Court	Status as of Oct. 20, 2026	Source
Cristian Popescu, 46, Bothell, Wash.	Federal, W.D. Wash.	Indicted on 10 counts of wire fraud and 5 counts of money laundering; pleaded not guilty Oct. 13, 2026; trial set for Dec. 21, 2026; released on electronic monitoring	[1], [2]

Statuses can change. Those not convicted are presumed innocent.

Sources

1. U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Washington, "Pastor of Kirkland, Washington, church indicted on ten counts of wire fraud and five counts of money laundering in $13 million fraud scheme," Oct. 13, 2026. https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/pr/pastor-kirkland-washington-church-indicted-ten-counts-wire-fraud-and-five-counts-money
2. KING 5, Shawn Garrett, "Kirkland pastor told investors God chose them for alleged $13 million scheme, DOJ says," Oct. 14, 2026 (updated Oct. 15, 2026). https://www.king5.com/article/news/crime/kirkland-pastor-told-investors-god-chose-them-alleged-13-million-scheme/281-f17ffa90-4985-440c-b048-0883e7c0c924
3. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Investor.gov, "Investment Scams Targeting Groups" (accessed Oct. 20, 2026). https://www.investor.gov/protect-your-investments/fraud/types-fraud/affinity-fraud

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