Indian Authorities Arrest Suspected Cryptocurrency Operator Wanted by U.S. for Money Laundering
Kerala, India — In a significant development in international law enforcement, Indian authorities have apprehended a cryptocurrency exchange administrator wanted by the United States for his alleged role in laundering money and violating financial sanctions. Aleksej Besciokov, a Lithuanian citizen residing in Russia, was arrested on Tuesday in Kerala, according to a statement from India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Background on the Arrest
Besciokov was one of the administrators of Garantex, a Russian cryptocurrency exchange that has come under scrutiny from U.S. law enforcement agencies. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) indicated that he was involved in reviewing and approving transactions on the platform, which has allegedly processed over $96 billion in cryptocurrency transactions since 2019. In a recent indictment released by the DOJ, it was revealed that Garantex has served as a financial conduit for cybercriminals, allegedly facilitating various crimes such as hacking, ransomware attacks, terrorism financing, and drug trafficking. The indictment also accused Besciokov of managing an unlicensed money-transmitting business and violating sanctions imposed by U.S. authorities, which sanctioned Garantex in 2022. ### International Cooperation
The arrest was made following a provisional warrant issued by the CBI at the request of U.S. officials. It is not yet clear when Besciokov arrived in India or the circumstances surrounding his travel. Currently in custody, he has yet to provide a statement regarding the charges.
The U.S., in coordination with Germany and Finland, had recently dismantled the online infrastructure used by Garantex, indicating a concerted effort to curb the exchange’s operations.
Possible Extradition
Following his arrest, Besciokov is slated to be produced before a court in Delhi. However, details regarding the timeline for his potential extradition to the United States remain uncertain.
Last week, U.S. authorities also charged Besciokov alongside Aleksandr Mira Serda, the co-founder of Garantex, with money laundering activities. This case highlights ongoing efforts by various governments to tackle the use of cryptocurrency for illegal activities.
As the situation develops, the spotlight remains on how international cooperation will unfold in addressing the challenges posed by cryptocurrency and cybercrime on a global scale.
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