Aleksej Besciokov, an operator of the sanctioned Garantex crypto exchange, was arrested in India. He faces multiple charges including money laundering and sanctions violations. Recent law enforcement actions saw the seizure of Garantex’s domains and the freezing of $28 million in crypto. The exchange has been identified as a facilitator of crimes including support for ransomware groups and sanctions evasion.
Aleksej Besciokov, a key operator of the sanctioned Russian cryptocurrency exchange Garantex, has reportedly been arrested in India. He faces serious charges including conspiracy to launder money, breach of sanctions, and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. His arrest occurred in Kerala while he was on vacation with his family, as reported by Techcrunch and KrebsonSecurity.
Recent international law enforcement actions have led to the seizure of Garantex’s servers and domains. Approximately $28 million in cryptocurrency associated with the exchange has been frozen. The exchange was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in 2022 on grounds of enabling money laundering for ransomware groups and darknet markets, including Hydra.
Garantex has been linked to significant criminal activities, notably aiding the Lazarus Group, North Korea’s cybercriminal faction responsible for substantial heists. Furthermore, it has facilitated sanctions evasion for Russian oligarchs, as evidenced by connections to groups like the TGR Group. Following these developments, U.S. prosecutors have charged Besciokov and another operator with related offenses.
Besciokov is currently listed on the U.S. Secret Service’s Most Wanted list, highlighting the gravity of the allegations against him. No comments have been provided by either the Kerala police or the U.S. Department of Justice regarding his arrest.
The arrest of Aleksej Besciokov marks a significant action against illegal activities linked to cryptocurrency exchanges. With mounting evidence of money laundering and sanctions evasion, the case underscores the ongoing efforts of international law enforcement to combat financial crimes in the cryptocurrency sphere. Besciokov’s charges reflect the broader implications of illicit activities facilitated through platforms like Garantex, which have been used to support criminal enterprises and evade regulatory measures.
Original Source: www.coindesk.com
