Aleksej Besciokov, a Lithuania-born crypto administrator with Russian affiliations, was arrested in India at the request of U.S. authorities. He is accused of facilitating money laundering and sanction violations at Garantex, a cryptocurrency exchange linked to significant illegal activities. Besciokov is expected to face extradition proceedings but awaits a court appearance in New Delhi.
In a significant development, Indian authorities have detained Aleksej Besciokov, a cryptocurrency exchange administrator with Russian ties, who is wanted in the U.S. for purportedly facilitating money laundering for cybercriminals and contravening sanctions. Besciokov, a Lithuanian citizen residing in Russia, was apprehended in Kerala as per reports from India’s investigative agency.
The U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) identifies Besciokov as a key administrator of Garantex, a Russian cryptocurrency platform, responsible for transaction approvals. Currently, he remains in custody without providing a statement, while Garantex did not respond to requests for comments.
According to the DOJ’s indictment, it is unclear when Besciokov arrived in India. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) issued a provisional arrest warrant at the request of U.S. authorities. Following the arrest, Besciokov is expected to appear in a New Delhi court, but the timing of his potential extradition to the U.S. is still unknown.
The crackdown on Garantex has been coordinated with law enforcement in Germany and Finland, having reportedly processed transactions worth approximately $96 billion since 2019. It allegedly received significant proceeds from criminal activities linked to hacking, ransomware, terrorism, and drug trafficking.
Moreover, the DOJ has accused Besciokov of violating sanctions and managing an “unlicensed money transmitting business.” Alongside him, U.S. officials charged Garantex’s co-founder, Aleksandr Mira Serda, for money laundering. The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Garantex in 2022; however, operations were allegedly redesigned to evade those sanctions and engage with American enterprises.
The arrest of Aleksej Besciokov highlights significant international cooperation in combating cryptocurrency-related crimes. His apprehension underscores the extent of Garantex’s operations, which allegedly facilitated substantial illicit activities. The unfolding legal processes will further clarify the implications of this case in the global landscape of cryptocurrencies and cybercrime.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
