Národní centrála proti organizovanému zločinu has charged two people with investment fraud causing damage of two billion koruna, concerning mainly investments in aquaponic farm projects. Aquaponic farms combine fish farming and plant growing. The information was provided on 22 October 2026 by the centre's spokesman Jaroslav Ibehej. According to the police, about 5,000 clients were harmed, and the accused face up to ten years in prison.[1][2]
According to the police
According to investigators, the people charged built and controlled, no later than 2018, a group of about 70 commercial companies linked to one another through personnel and property, through which they collected money from investors. They attracted clients mainly with a guaranteed annual return of six to 15 percent. They raised money mainly through issues of bonds, shares and other investment instruments.[1]
Investigators claim that the money did not serve to carry out the promised projects but mainly to finance the operation of the linked firms, the perpetrators' personal needs and the payment of obligations to earlier investors. According to the spokesman, the system showed, by the findings so far, features of a Ponzi scheme.[1][2]
Police operation and proceedings
In the preceding days, police carried out searches of premises at several places in Czechia, chiefly in the South Moravian Region. They seized a quantity of documentary and electronic evidence and fifty pieces of computer equipment intended for cryptocurrency mining. A court remanded both accused in custody. The case is supervised by the regional state prosecutor's office in Brno.[1][2]
Chronology
- — The Národní centrála proti organizovanému zločinu charged two people with investment fraud connected with investments in aquaponic farms; according to the police the damage amounts to two billion crowns and about 5,000 clients were harmed, and both defendants are in custody. ČTK / České noviny iDNES.cz: Brno
Sources
- ČTK / České noviny — 22 October 2026
- iDNES.cz: Brno — 22 October 2026