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Zondacrypto fraud investigation: Fifth suspect detained in Poland
A Polish court has approved pretrial detention for a fifth suspect, Roman Ż., in the ongoing investigation into the cryptocurrency exchange Zondacrypto. He faces charges of organized crime membership and computer fraud.
Prosecutors allege the criminal group misappropriated at least 7.8 million złoty (approximately $2 million) from client funds through unauthorized data manipulation. This is part of a larger investigation into the collapse of the exchange, which has seen total client losses estimated at 350 million złoty (approximately $94 million). Investigators also allege that nearly €8 million was diverted to purchase property in France.
The probe has implicated several high-profile figures, including Radosław Piesiewicz, the president of the Polish Olympic Committee, who is currently in custody. The investigation is being conducted in coordination with Estonian authorities following the revocation of Zondacrypto’s license by Estonia’s financial intelligence unit in June 2026.
The exchange, originally founded as BitBay in 2014, saw its founder, Sylwester Suszek, and CEO Przemysław Kral disappear in 2022. The case has resulted in thousands of formal complaints and has caused significant financial and reputational strain on associated institutions.
Entities
Katowice · Polish National Prosecutor’s Office · Polish Olympic Committee · Radosław Piesiewicz · Roman Ż. · Sylwester Suszek · Zondacrypto
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A criminal group allegedly misappropriated nearly €8 million from Zondacrypto to buy property in France. bitnewsbot.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Investigators have frozen approximately €4 million in assets. cryptobriefing.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Radosław Piesiewicz, president of the Polish Olympic Committee, is among the suspects in custody. cryptobriefing.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The group allegedly stole at least 7.8 million złoty (approximately $2 million) from users through unauthorized data changes. bitnewsbot.com · cryptobriefing.com · cryptonomist.ch
- [● 3 SOURCES] A Katowice court approved pretrial detention for a fifth suspect, Roman Ż., on September 7, 2026. bitnewsbot.com · cryptobriefing.com · cryptonomist.ch
- [● 2 SOURCES] Estonia’s financial intelligence unit revoked the license of BB Trade Estonia on June 29, 2026. bitnewsbot.com · cryptonomist.ch
- [● 2 SOURCES] Zondacrypto founder Sylwester Suszek and CEO Przemysław Kral have been missing since March 2022. bitnewsbot.com · cryptobriefing.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Total client losses linked to the Zondacrypto collapse are estimated at no less than 350 million złoty (approximately $94 million). cryptobriefing.com · cryptonomist.ch