A former business partner of Zondacrypto’s founder has been detained in Silesia, Poland. The Katowice branch of the Polish National Prosecutor’s Office has named Roman Ż. as the fifth suspect in the alleged fraud case involving the crypto exchange formerly known as BitBay. The suspect was arrested just as he was preparing to travel to China.
The suspect’s attorney, Błażej Gazda, confirmed his client faces two criminal charges, including fraud. Gazda dismissed claims that his client was attempting to flee, stating the trip to China was strictly for business and presenting a return ticket dated September 13. However, this did not halt the Central Cybercrime Bureau (CBZC) and police from searching the arrest location and the suspect’s residence. Joint law enforcement officers seized several luxury watches and secured operational documents belonging to the exchange.
Losses Surpass $94 Million
The official investigation into Zondacrypto’s collapse was launched in April 2026. By June, prosecutors had received more than 3,600 complaints from customers reporting missing funds. The rising number of complaints prompted prosecutors to significantly revise the estimated losses.
Initial calculations by investigators estimated total customer losses at 35 million zlotys. The latest assessment has surged to more than 350 million zlotys, equivalent to $94 million. Polish authorities moved quickly to secure company assets to facilitate potential restitution for affected customers in the future. Investigators froze €4 million across various bank accounts and seized additional assets valued at over 100 million zlotys.
These seizures follow the complete shutdown of the exchange’s operations. Zondacrypto halted customer funds by freezing withdrawals in February 2026. The exchange’s website went permanently offline on April 23. The final blow came when the license for their legal entity, BB Trade Estonia OÜ, was revoked on June 29.
Two Investigations Merged
The Zondacrypto case has now expanded beyond financial offenses. Prosecutors have combined the exchange fraud inquiry with the investigation into the disappearance of BitBay’s original founder, Sylwester Suszek. Suszek vanished under mysterious circumstances on March 10, 2022, in Czeladź, Poland.
Victims who lost funds are pinning their hopes on the operational documents seized from the fifth suspect’s residence. The testimony of Roman Ż. could provide a vital opening for investigators seeking to uncover potential links between the $94 million fraud and the founder’s disappearance four years ago.
Reported by crypto.news.
Previously: Polish Parliament Loses Vote on Crypto Regulations - Amid Missing Exchange Founder and $95 Million Scandal
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only, not financial advice. Cryptocurrency assets are highly volatile and carry significant risk. Always do your own research (DYOR) and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
