Zondacrypto scandal: Fifth suspect charged amid $94M losses

Polish prosecutors charged Roman Ż., ex-BitBay partner, with fraud and organized crime in the Zondacrypto case. The exchange collapsed in April, causing $94M in user losses. Ż. denies all charges.

Polish prosecutors have charged Roman Ż., a former business partner of missing BitBay founder Sylwester Suszek, with fraud and participation in an organized criminal group. These charges are part of the expanding Zondacrypto investigation. Authorities allege that Roman Ż. was involved in the misappropriation of 7.8 million zlotys (about $2.1 million) in user funds, as well as other large-scale financial fraud. Zondacrypto, previously known as BitBay, ceased trading in April 2026 after customers reported frozen withdrawals and losses estimated at $94 million. Over 3,600 complaints have been filed. Roman Ż. was detained in Poland’s Silesian region and questioned by prosecutors, denying all charges. Prosecutors have requested pretrial detention, citing flight risk and possible interference with the investigation. The probe has been merged with the inquiry into Suszek’s 2022 disappearance. Several others have been arrested, and authorities have seized valuable items and documents related to the exchange’s operations.