Polish prosecutors have expanded their investigation into Zondacrypto after charging Roman Ż., a former associate of BitBay founder Sylwester Suszek. Roman Ż. now faces fraud charges and another unspecified offense, making him the fifth person accused in the widening case.
Authorities detained him over the weekend after investigators raised concerns that he could leave Poland. Prosecutors reportedly plan to seek his pretrial detention as the investigation gathers momentum.
Investigation Broadens
The case gained wider attention after Zondacrypto customers reported withdrawal problems in April. More than 3,600 complaints had reached prosecutors by June, while customers estimated potential losses above $94 million. Consequently, investigators began examining allegations of large-scale fraud and money laundering.
Moreover, prosecutors merged the exchange investigation with Suszek’s disappearance case in July. Suszek founded BitBay before the platform later adopted the Zondacrypto name. He disappeared in March 2022, adding another serious dimension to the inquiry.
New Connections Emerge
Roman Ż. previously worked closely with Suszek and reportedly helped develop BitBay’s Katowice headquarters. Additionally, testimony in a tax case identified him as an alleged founding figure behind the exchange.
The investigation also involves political lobbying and suspected organized crime links. Radosław Piesiewicz, Poland’s Olympic Committee chairman, faces separate allegations tied to the exchange’s financial troubles. Three other suspects also faced detention last week, highlighting the probe’s growing scope.
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