Former Polish Police Officer Charged in Zondacrypto Probe, Fuel Depot Searched

Polish prosecutors have charged a former police officer with organized crime membership, fraud and money‑laundering tied to the collapse of the Zondacrypto exchange. The investigation also includes a search of a fuel depot where the exchange’s founder was last seen before disappearing in March 2022.

Charges against former officer

Artur K., a former police officer, was detained by the Central Bureau for Combating Cybercrime (CBZC) on orders from the National Prosecutor’s Office organized crime department. He faces two counts: membership in an organized criminal group and a combined charge covering property damage to BitBay, BB Trade Estonia and a third entity, aiding the misappropriation of users’ funds, computer fraud and money‑laundering.

Search of fuel depot

Police from Katowice are examining a fuel depot where Zondacrypto founder Sylwester Suszek was last seen before his disappearance. The search is being conducted by a team of prosecutors, expert witnesses and specialized forensic equipment. The case is classified as unlawful deprivation of liberty rather than a missing‑person case.

Background on Zondacrypto

Founded in Katowice in 2014 as BitBay, the platform re‑registered in Estonia in 2020 under BB Trade Estonia and later rebranded as Zondacrypto. The exchange claimed about 1.3 million clients, primarily from Poland. Withdrawals were frozen and the service went offline in April, and Estonia’s financial intelligence unit revoked its license on 29 June.

Other developments

Since August, at least five additional individuals have been charged, including Radosław P., former head of the Polish Olympic Committee. All accused parties have publicly denied the allegations, and none of the cases have yet been tried in court.