Police "shadow hunters" detain a wanted Russian crypto boss

The man, named only as Dmitry V. due to Polish privacy laws, was detained on the basis of an extradition request from the United States, police said.

"Dmitry V. is suspected of numerous frauds, money transfers and money laundering in connection with running one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world," the police said in a statement.

"For the crimes the detained man is suspected of, he could face up to 20 years in prison in the U.S."

Polish daily Rzeczpospolita reported that Dmitry V. managed WEX, which was the largest cryptocurrency exchange in Russia until it collapsed in 2018.

"The man is in custody awaiting the completion of the entire procedure in connection with his extradition to the U.S.," a police spokesperson said.

Police have also arrested Nela D., a Czech citizen wanted under a European Arrest Warrant issued by a Czech court. Czech law enforcement authorities sought assistance from Poland’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBŚP).

Nela D. was suspected of participating in an organized crime group involved in the production and distribution of narcotics. Thanks to the efforts of the "shadow hunters," it was determined that she was hiding in Kraków.

During the arrest, Tomasz M., who was also in the apartment, was apprehended too. Tomasz M. was wanted by the Polish justice system based on two arrest warrants issued by Kraków courts. He faces at least 11 months in prison for theft.

In the apartment, officers discovered methamphetamine, marijuana, and a short firearm. The weapon has been sent for further examination.

"Since the beginning of the year, shadow hunter groups have identified the whereabouts of 30 individuals wanted by law enforcement agencies from around the world. These are most often leaders and members of organized crime groups suspected of committing serious offenses," said the spokesperson for the CBŚP.