Aleksej Besciokov, a cryptocurrency exchange administrator linked to Russia, was arrested in India for helping cybercriminals launder money and violating U.S. sanctions. He was involved with the Russian exchange Garantex, which processed transactions worth over $96 billion, facilitating various crimes. Besciokov faces charges from U.S. authorities and is pending extradition.
India has apprehended Aleksej Besciokov, a cryptocurrency exchange administrator with ties to Russia, who is sought by the United States for allegedly assisting cybercriminals in laundering money and violating sanctions. The arrest was made in Kerala by India’s top investigative agency on Tuesday. Besciokov, a Lithuanian national living in Russia, was involved in overseeing transactions on the Russian cryptocurrency exchange Garantex.
The U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) noted that Besciokov is currently in custody and has not yet made a public statement. Garantex has not responded to inquiries regarding the situation. According to a recent indictment, it remains uncertain when and why Besciokov traveled to India, but the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) issued a provisional arrest warrant at the request of U.S. authorities. He is scheduled to appear in court in Delhi, though the timing of his potential extradition to the U.S. is unclear.
The DOJ, in collaboration with German and Finnish authorities, dismantled the online operations associated with Garantex, which is reported to have conducted transactions exceeding $96 billion since 2019. The exchange is believed to have processed substantial amounts in illicit funds, facilitating crimes such as hacking, ransomware, terrorism, and drug trafficking. Additionally, Besciokov faces allegations of breaching sanctions and managing an unlicensed money transmitting business.
Last week, U.S. officials formally charged Besciokov alongside Garantex’s Russian co-founder, Aleksandr Mira Serda, with money laundering. Garantex was previously sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department in 2022, but after these sanctions, Besciokov and others are said to have altered their operations to circumvent these restrictions and entice American businesses.
The arrest of Aleksej Besciokov in India marks a significant step in combating cryptocurrency-related crimes, particularly those associated with laundering money and violating U.S. sanctions. Besciokov’s involvement with the Garantex exchange and the subsequent charges against him and his associates highlight the ongoing efforts by international authorities to tackle financial crimes facilitated through digital currencies. The upcoming legal proceedings in India and potential extradition to the United States are crucial developments to monitor.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
