Indian authorities have arrested Aleksej Besciokov, a Russian nationwide needed in the US for working an unlicensed crypto alternate and laundering hundreds of thousands in illicit funds.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) confirmed the arrest, stating that Besciokov, a Lithuanian citizen, is searched for trial within the U.S. District Court docket for the Japanese District of Virginia.
The U.S. Secret Service alleges that Besciokov operated Garantex, a Russian-based crypto alternate, to launder proceeds of prison exercise between 2019 and 2025. The platform reportedly facilitated transactions for main ransomware teams, together with:
🔴 Conti — Linked to high-profile cyberattacks worldwide.🔴 Black Basta — A infamous ransomware gang concentrating on firms.🔴 Play — A hacking group chargeable for a number of cyber ransom circumstances.
Regardless of understanding the funds got here from illicit actions, Besciokov allegedly took steps to hide Garantex’s position in monetary crimes.
The U.S. Treasury Division sanctioned Garantex in April 2022 for failing to satisfy anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CFT) laws. The European Union adopted go well with on February 24, blacklisting the platform.
⚠️ March 6 — Garantex suspended operations.⚠️ March 7 — U.S. authorities seized $26M in illicit funds tied to the alternate.
Besciokov was vacationing in Kerala, India, together with his household, reportedly planning to flee earlier than authorities tracked him down.
India will now proceed with extraditing him to the U.S., the place he faces severe monetary crime prices that might end in prolonged jail time.
This arrest highlights the rising worldwide efforts to curb crypto-based monetary crime. With U.S. and EU legislation enforcement tightening their grip, crypto exchanges working in authorized gray areas face mounting stress.
Will this case set a precedent for cracking down on illicit crypto platforms? Keep tuned.
