Polish Court Detains Fifth Suspect in Zondacrypto Exchange Probe

A Polish court has approved pretrial detention for Roman Ż., a fifth suspect in the investigation into crypto exchange Zondacrypto. The charges include membership of an organized criminal group and computer fraud, with prosecutors alleging that the group took at least 7.8 million złoty from users by making unauthorized changes to the exchange's data.

The investigation, which began in April when withdrawals were frozen on the exchange, has already led to pretrial detention for three others: Anna P., Jaromira W., and Rafał Z. They are accused of various crimes including money laundering and obstructing proceedings into the disappearance of Sylwester Suszek, the founder of the exchange.

Suszek disappeared in March 2022, and his assets have been a focus of the investigation. Prosecutors say that nearly €8 million was taken from the operator's account last October to buy property in France, among other allegations.