Eight Ukrainians arrested in Poland over alleged $90 million crypto laundering scheme

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Eight Ukrainians arrested in Poland

Suspects used currency exchanges and fictitious gold purchases

According to investigators, the suspects allegedly laundered proceeds from investment platform fraud and transactions involving cryptocurrencies.

The alleged organizer coordinated the collection of cash and its subsequent movement both within Poland and abroad. To conceal the origin of the funds, group members used currency exchange offices and fictitious gold purchase transactions.

The total value of transactions linked to the suspected criminal activity exceeded 337 million zlotys. However, authorities did not specify how much of that amount was directly attributable to cryptocurrency transactions.

The arrests took place in Łódź, Warsaw and the Lesser Poland Voivodeship. Law enforcement officers searched residential properties, offices and currency exchange locations.

During the operation, authorities seized cash and gold worth more than 1 million zlotys. Investigators also collected mobile phones, computers and electronic storage devices for forensic examination.

A court ordered six suspects to be held in pretrial detention for three months and another for two months. The remaining two were released under bail conditions, police supervision and travel restrictions. The suspects face up to 15 years in prison.

Poland continues investigations into cryptocurrency-related crime

The investigation is being conducted under the supervision of the Łódź Regional Prosecutor's Office, with coordination from the Polish National Prosecutor's Office unit responsible for cybercrime.

Law enforcement authorities continue to examine the group's financial transactions and seized electronic devices. The full extent of the alleged scheme and the roles of individual participants have not yet been disclosed.

Previously, Polish prosecutors brought charges against former police officer Artur K. as part of an investigation involving cryptocurrency exchange Zondacrypto. At the same time, law enforcement officers conducted searches at an oil depot where the platform's founder, Sylwester Suszek, was last seen in March 2022.

The circumstances surrounding the entrepreneur's disappearance remain under investigation. However, no confirmed connection has been established between the Zondacrypto case and the group suspected of laundering 337 million zlotys.

Earlier, we reported that Polish authorities arrested the president of the National Olympic Committee on suspicion of accepting bribes linked to Zondacrypto. The investigation concerns alleged corruption involving dealings with the cryptocurrency platform.

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