Polish cybercrime police seize equipment of former CBA agent in Zondacrypto probe

Cybercrime searches in Wrocław

Officers from the Central Bureau for Combating Cybercrime (CBZC) conducted multiple searches across Wrocław on 11 September 2026 in connection with the investigation into cryptocurrency exchange Zondacrypto. The actions were executed under the authority of the Silesian Branch of the Department for Organized Crime and Corruption of the National Prosecutor's Office. Polish Minister of Justice and Prosecutor General Waldemar Żurek announced that officers seized electronic devices potentially used by Artur Chodziński, a former officer of the Central Anticorruption Bureau (CBA). Przemysław Nowak, press spokesman for the National Prosecutor's Office, confirmed the operations and stated that the confiscated hardware may hold evidence relevant to the criminal proceedings. The operation follows earlier media reports outlining links between former security personnel and the leadership of the cryptocurrency platform.

Conflicting accounts over seized devices

Minister Żurek reported the procedural steps publicly on social media platform X.

“In the investigation concerning Zondacrypto, CBZC officers, acting on the instructions of a prosecutor from the Silesian Division of the National Prosecutor's Office, carried out searches in Wrocław. During the actions, electronic equipment was secured that could have been used by Artur Ch. and may contain data relevant to the ongoing investigation.”

Chodziński disputed the official description of the police action, writing on social media that he voluntarily presented materials to law enforcement officers rather than being subjected to an unannounced search.

“Watch out for disinformation. Today I handed over to the police documents, data carriers, and other items prepared by me earlier that may be relevant to the full clarification of the Przemysław K. case. The action lasted about 20 minutes. All media leaks about some ongoing searches are of course a lie.”

Chodziński also claimed that investigative journalist Szymon Jadczak had previously attempted to recruit him as an informant, pressing him for internal materials regarding Pegasus software and email accounts seized in the Polnord inquiry. Chodziński stated that he never possessed such materials and rejected the allegations made against him.

Invoices and alleged intelligence sharing

Media reports published in June and September indicate that Chodziński worked directly for Przemysław Kral, the head of Zondacrypto. A company owned by Chodziński issued its initial invoice of €7,000 to Kral's Czech entity on 30 June 2025. Subsequent invoices were issued at a rate of €15,000 per month through March 2026, totaling over 500,000 PLN. Investigative reporting by outlets TVN24 and Wirtualna Polska alleged that, in exchange for these consulting payments, Chodziński provided Kral with sensitive personal data regarding a journalist covering the exchange and claimed to possess influence over right-wing public officials. Chodziński denies all findings regarding illegal data disclosures or political lobbying on behalf of the company.

Expanding scope of the fraud investigation

The Regional Prosecutor's Office in Katowice opened the formal investigation into Zondacrypto in April 2026, focusing on large-scale financial fraud and money laundering operations. The office has received several thousand criminal notifications from affected customers. In August 2026, prosecutors consolidated the financial fraud probe with the separate case into the disappearance of Sylwester Suszek, the founder of predecessor exchange BitBay, who went missing in March 2022. The merged inquiry is now coordinated by the Katowice branch of the National Prosecutor's Office. Several high-profile suspects have been detained in connection with the broader case, including the president of the Polish Olympic Committee, Radosław Piesiewicz, alongside three other individuals identified as Anna P., Jaromira W., and Rafał Z.