Aleksej Besciokov, Garantex Operator, Arrested in India for Money Laundering
Aleksej Besciokov, an operator of the sanctioned Russian cryptocurrency exchange Garantex, was arrested in India for money laundering conspired activities. Last week, international law enforcement seized Garantex’s servers and froze $28 million in cryptocurrency connected to the exchange. Garantex has faced sanctions for aiding ransomware gangs and evading sanctions on various criminal fronts.
Aleksej Besciokov, a key operator of the sanctioned Russian cryptocurrency exchange Garantex, has reportedly been arrested in India while on vacation. The 46-year-old Lithuanian national was apprehended in Kerala, according to multiple news outlets, including Techcrunch and KrebsonSecurity.
Garantex was recently targeted by an international coalition of law enforcement agencies from the United States, Germany, and Finland, which seized the exchange’s servers and domains last week. Additionally, approximately $28 million in cryptocurrency linked to Garantex was frozen.
The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Garantex in 2022 due to its alleged role in facilitating money laundering for ransomware gangs and darknet markets. Grim associations have been reported between Garantex and notorious groups such as Conti, Black Basta, and the previously dominant Hydra market.
Furthermore, Garantex has been implicated in aiding the Lazarus Group of North Korea, known for large-scale cyber thefts, including the recent $1.5 billion Bybit heist. Their operations reportedly include sanctions evasion activities that have attracted the attention of law enforcement officials worldwide.
As part of ongoing investigations, U.S. prosecutors have charged Besciokov and co-operator Aleksandr Mira Serda with money laundering conspiracy. Besciokov is currently featured on the U.S. Secret Service’s Most Wanted list. Neither the Kerala police nor the U.S. Department of Justice have commented on the arrest as of yet.
The recent arrest of Aleksej Besciokov highlights the increasing scrutiny faced by cryptocurrency exchanges involved in illegal activities. With Garantex’s connections to high-profile cybercrime and sanctions evasion, the case underscores the collaborative efforts of international law enforcement in combating financial crimes. The situation continues to develop as authorities pursue justice against such illicit operations.
Original Source: www.coindesk.com
