Lithuanian National Arrested in India at U.S. Request for Cryptocurrency Crimes
Kerala, India — March 13, 2025
Aleksej Besciokov, a Lithuanian national and cryptocurrency exchange administrator, was apprehended in Kerala, India, following a coordinated operation between the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and local police. His arrest comes at the request of the United States, which has charged him with a conspiracy related to money laundering, as well as violations of sanctions and operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business.
The announcement of his arrest was made by India’s top crime-fighting agency on Wednesday. According to the U.S. Justice Department, Besciokov is one of the administrators of Garantex, a Russian cryptocurrency exchange that has been under scrutiny for engaging in illicit financial activities. In a significant action last week, authorities from the United States, Germany, and Finland dismantled the online infrastructure of Garantex. Concurrently, two individuals associated with the exchange were charged, with Besciokov being highlighted as a major figure in the operation.
The Justice Department revealed that Garantex has facilitated over $96 billion in cryptocurrency transactions since its inception in April 2019, underscoring its prominence in the cryptocurrency market. The exchange has been subject to U.S. sanctions since April 2022, designed to curb its involvement in financial transactions with sanctioned entities.
According to the CBI, a provisional arrest warrant was issued by India’s Foreign Ministry at the behest of Washington, citing that Besciokov was allegedly planning to leave India. The circumstances surrounding his stay in India remain unclear at this time. Following the arrest, the U.S. is expected to seek his extradition to face charges in the United States.
A spokesperson from the U.S. Justice Department confirmed the arrest, stating, “I can confirm Aleksej Besciokov, one of the administrators of Garantex, was arrested in India at the request of the United States.” Besciokov’s legal representative has not yet commented on the situation.
The dismantling of Garantex was viewed as a pivotal victory in the ongoing battle against illicit finance by blockchain research firm TRM Labs. In a recent blog post, the firm cautioned that while this operation marks progress, exchanges like Garantex often attempt to circumvent restrictions by establishing new entities, highlighting the challenges authorities face in combating cryptocurrency-related crimes.
As the investigation continues, the international implications of this case are being closely monitored, adding a new layer of complexity to the global efforts against financial crimes involving cryptocurrencies.
For further updates, stay tuned as developments unfold.
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