Summary:Indian authorities have arrested Aleksej Besciokov, a Russian-Lithuanian citizen, for money laundering and violating U.S. sanctions through his role in the Moscow-based crypto exchange Garantex. The U.S. accuses him of handling illicit transactions worth billions and seeks his extradition. He faces up to 45 years in prison for charges including money laundering and operating an unlicensed financial service. His arrest follows a global crackdown on Garantex, with U.S. authorities seizing domain names and freezing $26 million in related funds.
Indian law enforcement has detained Aleksej Besciokov, a Lithuanian citizen residing in Russia, over allegations of laundering money and breaching international sanctions through the Russian cryptocurrency exchange Garantex. The arrest, a joint operation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Kerala Police, came after a U.S. request for his extradition.
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Authorities caught Besciokov allegedly attempting to flee India. The U.S. Justice Department claims he managed Garantex, a Moscow-based exchange sanctioned in 2022 for processing over $96 billion in transactions tied to cybercriminals, terrorist groups, and drug trafficking networks.
Last week, U.S., German, and Finnish authorities dismantled Garantex’s digital infrastructure in a broader crackdown on illicit crypto activities. Besciokov faces charges of money laundering, violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, and operating an unlicensed financial service—offenses carrying up to 45 years in prison.
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Following a U.S. request, India swiftly issued a warrant on March 10. Besciokov will soon appear in court for extradition hearings. Meanwhile, U.S. authorities seized Garantex-linked domains and froze $26 million in related funds. Experts warn that while this is a major victory against illicit finance, similar exchanges often reappear under new identities.