Most wanted crypto kingpin arrested in India—Who is Aleksej Besciokov?
What's the story
A Lithuanian national and co-founder of cryptocurrency exchange Garantex, Aleksej Besciokov, has been arrested in India.
The arrest was made by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Kerala police on the request of US authorities.
Besciokov was reportedly on vacation with his family when he was apprehended by Varkala police as he attempted to leave India.
Details
US indictment leads to international arrest
Besciokov, who lives in Russia, is wanted for money laundering and other crimes related to Garantex.
The cryptocurrency exchange was sanctioned by the US government in 2022 for its alleged role in illicit financial activities.
The US Department of Justice unsealed an indictment against Besciokov on March 7, and he is on the Most Wanted list of the US Secret Service.
Operations
Allegations and operational details of Garantex
The US Justice Department has charged Besciokov with conspiracy to violate sanctions and operate an unlicensed money-transmitting business.
He profited from laundering proceeds from ransomware, computer hacking, and narcotics transactions, the CBI said.
Between 2019-2025, Besciokov allegedly controlled Garantex which facilitated the laundering of at least $96 billion in cryptocurrency for transnational criminal groups including terrorist organizations.
Dismantling
International law enforcement agencies dismantle Garantex's infrastructure
Last week, a coalition of international law enforcement agencies from the US, Germany, and Finland swung into action against Garantex.
They seized the exchange's domains and servers and froze nearly $28 million in crypto linked to it.
The US Justice Department disclosed that Garantex has processed at least $96 billion worth of cryptocurrency transactions since April 2019.