New Delhi: In a joint operation, Kerala Police, with assistance from the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) International Police Cooperation Unit, arrested Lithuanian national Aleksej Besciokov in Thiruvananthapuram while he attempted to flee India. Besciokov is wanted by US authorities on multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit money laundering, violating the US International Emergency Economic Powers Act, and running an unlicensed money services business.
According to officials, Besciokov allegedly used his cryptocurrency exchange, Garantex, to launder illicit funds. US Secret Service documents reveal that between 2019 and 2025, he operated Garantex, which allegedly processed $96 billion in illicit cryptocurrency transactions for transnational criminal organizations, including terrorist groups, in violation of US sanctions.
Crypto Exchange Linked to Criminal Activities
US authorities claim Garantex received hundreds of millions in criminal proceeds and was used to facilitate crimes such as hacking, ransomware attacks, terrorism financing, and drug trafficking, significantly impacting US victims. Besciokov, as the platform’s primary technical administrator, was responsible for managing its infrastructure, approving transactions, and ensuring its operational security.
The indictment against him includes:
- Conspiracy to commit money laundering (maximum sentence of 20 years)
- Conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (maximum sentence of 20 years)
- Conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money-transmitting business (maximum sentence of five years)
US Seizes Garantex Domains and Funds
Following a formal request from the United States, India’s Ministry of External Affairs secured a provisional arrest warrant on March 10, 2025, from the ACJM Patiala House Court in Delhi. The CBI, in coordination with Kerala Police, executed the arrest, and Besciokov will be presented before the Patiala House Court.
Additionally, on March 6, US authorities seized three domain names linked to Garantex and froze $26 million in illicit funds to prevent further criminal activities. Besciokov is set to face trial in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
