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Crypto Exchange Co-Founder Arrested in India on U.S. Charges

Lithuanian national Aleksej Besciokov, co-founder of sanctioned Garantex, faces extradition over money laundering and sanctions violations.

Alexsej Besciokov, 46, a Lithuanian national, was arrested from Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala.
Aleksej Besciokov (U.S. Secret Service)
This screenshot shows the Garantex website which the US Justice Department, in coordination with Germany and Finland, disrupted and took down. The cryptocurrency exchange website allegedly facilitated money laundering by transnational criminal organizations — including terrorist organizations — and sanctions violations, according to the US Justice Department.
Garantex co-founder Aleksej Besciokov. (Image: U.S. Secret Service)

Overview

  • Aleksej Besciokov, 46, was arrested in Kerala, India, while vacationing with his family, following a U.S. extradition request.
  • Besciokov co-founded Garantex, a cryptocurrency exchange accused of laundering billions for cybercriminals, drug traffickers, and terrorist groups.
  • The U.S. Department of Justice recently unsealed an indictment against Besciokov, alleging his involvement in laundering ransomware proceeds and evading sanctions.
  • International law enforcement agencies, including those from the U.S., Germany, and Finland, seized Garantex’s domains and froze $28 million in related assets last week.
  • Besciokov is charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering, violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, and operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business.