Polish prosecutors are expediting the investigation into the ZondaCrypto platform and appealing to those harmed to come forward with information.
Investigation into ZondaCrypto Gains Momentum
The Regional Prosecutor’s Office in Katowice has instructed district prosecutors within its jurisdiction to accept reports and take other actions regarding victims of ZondaCrypto. Regional Prosecutor’s Offices across the country have also received recommendations to accelerate the identification of all those affected by the case.
Prosecutors Urge Caution Against Secondary Scams
Prosecutors are warning victims to be particularly cautious, as social media is seeing videos offering alleged assistance in recovering funds. These materials utilize generated images of financial experts and are identified as a disinformation campaign and an attempt at secondary fraud, according to Prosecutor Michał Binkiewicz.
Dedicated Website Launched for Reporting
The Prosecutor’s Office has launched a dedicated website with guidance to facilitate the quick and efficient filing of a criminal complaint. The Deputy Regional Prosecutor has already instructed District Prosecutors (in Bielsko-Biała, Częstochowa, Gliwice, Katowice, and Sosnowiec) to carry out activities related to receiving reports and securing evidence.
ZondaCrypto Faced Liquidity Crisis and Reserve Collapse
Media reported in early April that Poland’s largest cryptocurrency exchange was facing serious problems, with analyses revealing a 99% drop in ZondaCrypto’s bitcoin reserves. Users began reporting widespread issues with withdrawing funds.
Przemysław Kral, President of ZondaCrypto, denied these reports, calling them “false and harmful.” He acknowledged that a wallet containing 4,500 bitcoins (worth over $300 million) belonged to the exchange, but the keys were held solely by Sylwester Suszek, the founder of BitBay, a predecessor to the exchange, who has since gone missing.
The Mysterious Disappearance of “The King of Cryptocurrency”
Sylwester Suszek, known as “The King of Cryptocurrency,” disappeared in March 2022. He was last seen at a fuel company in Czeladź owned by Marian W. On the day of his disappearance, the surveillance cameras at the fuel depot mysteriously stopped working.
Marian W. has been charged with unlawfully depriving Suszek of his freedom in an investigation led by the National Prosecutor’s Office. He also faces charges in a separate case related to leading an international criminal group that allegedly defrauded the VAT and documented fictitious transactions totaling nearly PLN 1.3 billion. A total of PLN 1.5 billion from the crime was deposited into accounts of affiliated companies. An indictment against Marian W. has already been submitted to the court.
