India's arrest of Aleksej Besciokov highlights international efforts against crypto-related crimes and the dark web's influence.
India Detains Cryptocurrency Administrator Tied to Russian Exchange Wanted by U.S.
India Detains Cryptocurrency Administrator Tied to Russian Exchange Wanted by U.S.
Indian authorities capture a key figure in crypto laundering operations linked to the U.S. sanctions violations.
In a significant development, Indian authorities have apprehended a central figure in the cryptocurrency world, Aleksej Besciokov, who is wanted in the United States for allegedly facilitating money laundering activities on behalf of cybercriminals. The arrest occurred in Kerala on Tuesday, as confirmed by India's foremost investigative agency. Besciokov, a Lithuanian national residing in Russia, was identified by the U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) as one of the administrators of Garantex, a Russian cryptocurrency exchange tied to illegal financial activities.
While Besciokov remains in custody, no statements have been issued in response to the charges against him, and immediate contact with Garantex regarding the situation proved fruitless. As outlined in the indictments made public by the DOJ, it is unclear if or why he had traveled to India. India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) indicated it had acted on a provisional arrest warrant requested by the U.S. government and that Besciokov will soon appear in a Delhi court. The timeline for his potential extradition to the United States remains uncertain.
Recent actions taken by U.S. authorities in collaboration with Germany and Finland led to the dismantling of the online infrastructure utilized by Garantex. According to the DOJ, the exchange processed approximately $96 billion in cryptocurrency transactions since its inception in 2019, reportedly receiving extensive criminal proceeds utilized for various illicit activities, including hacking, ransomware, drug trafficking, and terrorism.
The allegations against Besciokov extend to operating an unlicensed money transmission service and violating economic sanctions imposed by U.S. authorities. Following the imposition of sanctions on Garantex by the U.S. Treasury Department in 2022, it is alleged that Besciokov and other exchange administrators modified their operational strategies to circumvent these restrictions, subsequently coaxing American businesses into interacting with them. Last week, U.S. officials charged both Besciokov and his Russian co-founder, Aleksandr Mira Serda, alleging their involvement in broad money laundering schemes.
