Aleksej Besciokov, an operator of the sanctioned Russian crypto exchange Garantex, was arrested in India on charges including money laundering conspiracy and sanctions violations. His arrest follows a previous seizure of Garantex’s assets worth $28 million. The exchange has ties to ransomware actors and is linked to larger sanctions evasion efforts. Discourse on the case suggests potential impacts on cryptocurrency regulations.
Aleksej Besciokov, a significant operator of the sanctioned Russian cryptocurrency exchange Garantex, has been arrested in India while vacationing with his family in the state of Kerala. Reportedly, his arrest comes amidst serious allegations, including money laundering conspiracy, violation of sanctions, and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business.
Garantex, which was sanctioned in 2022 by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), was accused of facilitating money laundering for various ransomware entities and darknet markets. Recently, international law enforcement agencies seized the exchange’s domains and servers, freezing around $28 million in associated cryptocurrency.
The allegations against Garantex extend beyond money laundering; it is also implicated in aiding North Korea’s Lazarus Group—responsible for a major heist last month. Additionally, connections have been drawn between the exchange and elite sanctions evasion operations such as the TGR Group. Alongside Besciokov, another operator, Aleksandr Mira Serda, is facing similar charges.
Currently, Besciokov is on the U.S. Secret Service’s Most Wanted list, indicative of the gravity of the charges against him. However, inquiries regarding his arrest have not received commentary from either the Kerala police or the U.S. Department of Justice.
The arrest of Aleksej Besciokov highlights significant legal actions targeting cryptocurrency exchanges linked to illicit activities. Garantex’s connections to money laundering, particularly in relation to notorious hacking groups, have prompted international law enforcement to move decisively, resulting in noteworthy seizures and ongoing investigations. As the case develops, further implications for regulatory frameworks in cryptocurrency are anticipated.
Original Source: www.coindesk.com
