Polish fugitive in $30 million fraud case arrested at US Army boot camp in Missouri

A Polish fugitive that was wanted in a $30 million fraud case in his home country was found and arrested while taking part in a US Army boot camp in Missouri, according to officials. Marcin Pioro, 45, CEO of a Polish financial services company Cinkciarz.pl/Conotoxia was discovered by officials at Fort Leonard Wood on May 19 and was wanted by Interpol.

Pióro was wanted on large-scale fraud and money laundering offenses by Polish authorities. Pioro was taken into custody while he was participating in military exercises. He had joined the US Army to gain naturalized citizenship in the United States.

“This fugitive investigation is a testament to the commitment the U.S. Marshals Midwest Violent Fugitive Task Force in the Western District of Missouri has for finding, apprehending, and bringing to justice violent fugitives,” said Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Chris Deaton. “Our Deputies and support staff have tirelessly collaborated to locate and apprehend Pioro. Today’s arrest was a strong symbolic gesture of this commitment.”

Pioro appeared in court on May 20 at the US District Court for the Western District of Missouri before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush and was then detained and is set to be extradited to Poland.

Police in Poland have had a case against Pioro since October 2024. He was charged with preying on customers with his financial services platform and conducting currency exchanges outside the country. Thousands of victims had alleged that he stole their money.

Two of the Polish fugitive’s associates have also been detained, and both are facing up to 25 years in prison. The arrest of Pioro was carried out by the US Marshals Service deputies in the Western District of Missouri in coordination with ICE.