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Lithuanian Co-Founder of Sanctioned Crypto Exchange Arrested in India for U.S. Extradition

Aleksej Besciokov is accused of facilitating billions in money laundering and sanctions violations through the Garantex cryptocurrency platform.

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)
Alexsej Besciokov, 46, a Lithuanian national, was arrested from Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala.

Overview

  • Aleksej Besciokov, co-founder of the Russian crypto exchange Garantex, was arrested by Kerala Police in India under the coordination of the CBI and U.S. authorities.
  • Besciokov is charged in the U.S. with conspiracy to commit money laundering, violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, and operating an unlicensed money services business.
  • Garantex allegedly facilitated over $96 billion in cryptocurrency transactions, including laundering proceeds from ransomware, hacking, drug trafficking, and terrorism.
  • The U.S. Secret Service, DOJ, and international partners recently seized Garantex's domains, froze $26 million in assets, and linked its operations to sanctioned individuals and entities.
  • Besciokov faces extradition proceedings in India and could receive up to 20 years in prison for certain charges if convicted in the U.S.