Poland charges nine in alleged $86 million laundering ring

Polish authorities have charged nine people over an alleged money-laundering operation that investigators say handled more than $86 million between February 2025 and July 2026. RT reported the case, citing statements released on October 19 by the Regional Prosecutor’s Office in Lodz and Poland’s Internal Security Agency, known as ABW.

The suspects include eight Ukrainian nationals and a Belarusian woman, aged between 26 and 53. Investigators accuse a 34-year-old Ukrainian man of leading the group, which they describe as part of an international network moving proceeds for criminal enterprises. Authorities reportedly seized approximately $250,000 in cash and gold during the arrests.

Seven suspects were remanded in custody. Two described as cashiers were released on bail and prohibited from leaving Poland. The charges are allegations, not findings of guilt.

How investigators say the network moved money

Authorities allege that the operation primarily served online and call-centre fraud businesses, routing their proceeds through currency exchange offices, purported gold purchases and cryptocurrency transactions. The nine suspects were assigned alleged roles as two couriers, four cashiers and three currency exchange clerks.

According to prosecutors, couriers travelled in luxury cars and identified themselves to clients using photographs of torn banknotes with visible serial numbers. They then delivered cash to cryptocurrency exchange offices, where cashiers allegedly received text-message confirmation codes before accepting the funds without performing mandatory anti-money-laundering checks.

Investigators also allege that some funds were hidden in specially modified vehicles and taken abroad, rather than placed in bank accounts or converted into cryptocurrency. The reported account does not include responses from the suspects or their lawyers.