Polish authorities have detained a former police officer, Artur K., in a probe into the collapse of the Zondacrypto exchange. He faces charges including membership of an organised criminal group, large-scale property damage, aiding computer fraud and money laundering. Investigators also searched the fuel depot where founder Sylwester Suszek was last seen in March 2022; his case is treated as unlawful deprivation of liberty. Several other suspects have been charged but deny wrongdoing; no allegations have been proven in court.
Former Polish Police Officer Charged in Zondacrypto Probe as Fuel Depot Search Targets Missing Founder
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Polish prosecutors have charged a former police officer in connection with the collapse of the Zondacrypto cryptocurrency exchange while investigators search a fuel depot linked to the platform's missing founder.
Officers from the Central Bureau for Combating Cybercrime detained Artur K. on Tuesday at the direction of the National Prosecutor's Office organised-crime division. Prosecutors say he faces two counts: membership of an organised criminal group, and a combined charge alleging large-scale property damage to BitBay, BB Trade Estonia and a third entity, plus assistance in the misappropriation of entrusted property, aiding computer fraud and money laundering.
Under Polish practice, suspects are identified by first name and initial. Polish Radio, citing the state news agency PAP, reported that Artur K. is a former police officer. Investigators recovered documents related to the exchange's operations during a search of his home. He is being questioned as a suspect; prosecutors will decide whether to seek pre-trial detention. The prosecutor-general's office did not say whether he has responded to the charges.
Separately, police from Katowice are searching and examining the fuel depot where Zondacrypto founder Sylwester Suszek was last seen before he disappeared in March 2022. The searches are being conducted by a team of prosecutors assisted by expert witnesses and what authorities described as advanced specialised forensic equipment. Investigators are treating Suszek's case as unlawful deprivation of liberty rather than a routine disappearance. Authorities have said an earlier suspect is accused of removing a hard drive from the CCTV recorder at the filling station.
Background: Suszek founded the exchange in Katowice in 2014 under the name BitBay. In 2020 the company moved its registration to Estonia as BB Trade Estonia, later rebranding as Zondacrypto and claiming roughly 1.3 million clients, most of them in Poland. The platform froze withdrawals and went offline in April, and Estonia's financial intelligence unit revoked the operator's licence on June 29.
At least five other people have been charged since August, including Radosław P., the former head of the Polish Olympic Committee. Those who have spoken publicly have denied the allegations. None of the accusations has yet been tested in court, and prosecutors stress that charges are allegations until proven in a trial.
Note: This is an ongoing investigation. Reporting reflects statements from prosecutors and police; outcomes may change as the case proceeds through the courts.
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