The attempt at blending in didn’t succeed.
A Polish national on the run, facing accusations of orchestrating $30 million worth of fraud and money laundering, was apprehended while participating in military exercises at a US Army installation in Missouri, authorities reported.
Marcin Pióro, aged 45 and head of a Polish financial services firm, was undergoing training at Fort Leonard Wood on May 19 when it was uncovered that he was listed as wanted by Interpol, according to the US Marshals.
Interpol had issued a red notice for Pióro following allegations from Polish officials about his involvement in extensive fraud and money laundering activities impacting over 5,000 individuals.
US authorities revealed that the suspect had made an attempt to enlist in the Illinois National Guard as a strategy to secure sponsorship for naturalization.
Pióro was arrested without incident, causing minimal disturbance to the training exercises at Fort Leonard Wood, according to officials.
The fugitive appeared before the US District Court for the Western District of Missouri on May 20, and the Illinois National Guard swiftly discharged the Pole from service.
Chief Deputy US Marshal Chris Deaton touted the agency’s Midwest Violent Fugitive Task Force in the western district of Missouri for finding and apprehending Pióro.
“Our Deputies and support staff have tirelessly collaborated to locate and apprehend Pioro. Today’s arrest was a strong symbolic gesture of this commitment,” Deaton said in a statement.
Polish police have had a case open against Pióro since October 2024, alleging that the fugitive preyed upon customers with his financial services platform Cinkciarz.pl.
Pióro allegedly conducted his currency exchange business outside the country, with thousands of victims accusing the business of stealing their money.
Polish authorities have already arrested two of Pióro’s associates, including a board member and his chief accountant, who both face up to 25 years in prison, local RMF24 reported.
