The founder of online currency exchange Cinkciarz.pl faces an international manhunt after Polish authorities issued an arrest warrant in connection with what officials are calling one of the largest fintech scandals in the country’s history. More than 7,000 users have reported losing access to their funds, with total damages estimated at over 112 million Polish złoty, equivalent to approximately $30 million.
Arrest Warrant Issued for Exchange CEO
Polish law enforcement agencies have launched a search for Marcin P., the founder and chief executive of Cinkciarz.pl, who currently remains outside the country. The Prosecutor’s Office in Poznań announced the arrest warrant this week, following a district court order for 30 days of pre-trial detention.
Marcin P., prezes zarządu spółki Cinkciarz. pl, jest poszukiwany listem gończym – poinformowała Prokuratura Regionalna w Poznaniu. Sąd wydał decyzję o jego tymczasowym aresztowaniu, jednak mężczyzna przebywa poza granicami Polski.
Śledczy zarzucają mu m. in. oszustwo, w wyniku… pic.twitter.com/wE3id3idXe
— 🌐 ᴛʜᴇᴘᴏʟᴀɴᴅɴᴇᴡs 🌐 (@thepolandnews_) July 28, 2025
Charges against Marcin were filed in March and include fraud allegations. Prosecutors believe the missing funds were redirected to finance other business ventures. The investigation began in earnest last October when police, working alongside cybercrime specialists, conducted raids on the company’s headquarters in Zielona Góra.
The exchange, founded in 2006 during Poland’s foreign currency lending boom, had grown into a substantial operation generating 35 billion złoty in annual revenue. Despite not handling cryptocurrencies, the platform’s collapse has drawn attention from the broader digital finance community.
International Search Efforts Underway
Court documents reveal that prosecutors have gathered sufficient evidence for a potential conviction, with the accused facing up to 25 years in prison if found guilty. However, officials acknowledge a significant flight risk given Marcin P.’s current location outside Poland.
Financial news sources report that the CEO has relocated to the United States, information corroborated by Cinkciarz customers who analyzed social media posts from approximately six months ago. Legal experts anticipate that Polish authorities will request an Interpol red notice, which would enable U.S. law enforcement to detain the suspect pending formal extradition proceedings.
The investigation has already resulted in additional arrests, including management board member Robert G. in March and chief accountant Monika J. in May. Poland’s Financial Supervision Authority has revoked the payment services license of Conotoxia, an entity linked to Cinkciarz, and blocked associated bank accounts.
Broader Industry Implications
This high-profile fraud case involving a major Polish fintech platform may reinforce negative perceptions about digital financial services and regulatory oversight in the region. The substantial losses and international flight of the accused executive could contribute to increased scrutiny of similar platforms and potentially dampen investor confidence in emerging financial technologies.
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