On USA’s Request, Crypto Fugitive Aleksej Besciokov Arrested in India

Aleksej Besciokov, a Lithuanian national and co-founder of the cryptocurrency exchange Garantex, has been arrested in India. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Kerala police apprehended him at the request of US authorities. He was reportedly vacationing with his family when Varkala police detained him while attempting to leave the country.

US Indictment Leads to International Arrest

Besciokov, who resides in Russia, is accused of facilitating money laundering and operating an unlicensed financial network through Garantex. The US Department of Justice unsealed an indictment against him on March 7, placing him on the US Secret Service’s Most Wanted list.

Garantex was sanctioned by the US government in 2022 due to its alleged involvement in illicit financial activities, including laundering proceeds from ransomware attacks, computer hacking, and narcotics transactions. The exchange is accused of processing billions in cryptocurrency for transnational criminal organizations, including terrorist groups.

Allegations and Garantex’s Operations

According to the US Justice Department, Besciokov engaged in a conspiracy to violate sanctions and operated an unlicensed money-transmitting business. He allegedly profited from laundering illicit funds and providing financial services to criminals worldwide.

Between 2019 and 2025, Garantex reportedly facilitated the laundering of at least $96 billion in cryptocurrency. The exchange’s infrastructure allowed bad actors to bypass regulatory oversight and move large sums of illicit money globally.

International Crackdown on Garantex

International law enforcement agencies have taken decisive action against Garantex. Last week, authorities from the US, Germany, and Finland launched a coordinated effort to dismantle its operations. They seized the exchange’s domains, servers, and nearly $28 million in cryptocurrency assets linked to illegal transactions.

The US Justice Department revealed that since April 2019, Garantex processed over $96 billion in cryptocurrency transactions, many of which were linked to criminal networks. The crackdown marks a significant step in curbing illicit crypto activities and holding those responsible accountable.

Besciokov’s arrest signals a broader effort by global agencies to track down cybercriminals exploiting cryptocurrency for unlawful purposes. His extradition to the US remains a key focus, as authorities continue dismantling the financial networks enabling illicit crypto transactions.