Polish Prosecutors Charge Former Officer in Zondacrypto Case
Investigators also searched the last known location of founder Sylwester Suszek, who disappeared in March 2022.
Polish prosecutors charged former police officer Artur K. in the Zondacrypto case as investigators searched the last known location of founder Sylwester Suszek, who disappeared in March 2022.
Cybercrime officers detained K. on Sept. 22. Prosecutors accuse him of participating in an organized criminal group and helping cause major financial losses involving BitBay, BB Trade Estonia and another entity, including alleged assistance with misappropriation, computer fraud and money laundering.
K. was questioned as a suspect after investigators found documents tied to the exchange’s operations during a search of his home. Prosecutors will decide whether to seek pretrial detention.
Katowice police also searched and examined a fuel depot where Suszek was last seen. The investigation treats his case as unlawful deprivation of liberty, and prosecutors took part in the operation with expert witnesses and forensic equipment.
Suszek founded the exchange in 2014 as BitBay. It moved its registration to Estonia in 2020 and adopted the Zondacrypto name, claiming 1.3 million customers, mostly in Poland. The exchange froze withdrawals in April, while Estonia’s Financial Intelligence Unit revoked its operating license June 29. At least five people have been charged since August, and the allegations have not been adjudicated.
