EddieJayonCrypto
13 Mar 25
Indian authorities have arrested Garantex co-founder Aleksej Besciokov, a Lithuanian national wanted by the US for allegedly laundering billions through the crypto exchange. The arrest took place in Kerala’s coastal town of Varkala. Besciokov is accused of running an unlicensed money-transmitting bu...
Indian authorities have arrested Garantex co-founder Aleksej Besciokov, a Lithuanian national wanted by the US for allegedly laundering billions through the crypto exchange. The arrest took place in Kerala’s coastal town of Varkala. Besciokov is accused of running an unlicensed money-transmitting business and conspiring to commit money laundering.
US and European authorities seized Garantex and its online operations for alleged money laundering activities. The arrest followed a provisional warrant issued in New Delhi and was coordinated by the Central Bureau of Investigation and Kerala Police. Besciokov is expected to be extradited to the US.
Police apprehended Besciokov in Kerala’s coastal town of Varkala while he was vacationing with his family. Besciokov is accused of operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business and conspiring to commit money laundering.
US authorities claim Besciokov played a key role in the Moscow-based exchange, which was sanctioned by the US Treasury in 2022 for allegedly processing illicit transactions linked to ransomware, drug trafficking, and cybercrime. The arrest followed a provisional warrant issued by the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate of Patiala House Court in New Delhi.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Kerala Police coordinated efforts, acting on an Interpol Red Notice issued at the request of US authorities. Besciokov’s arrest is part of a broader global crackdown on crypto-linked financial crimes.