Synopsis
Aleksej Besciokov, a Lithuanian man wanted for cryptocurrency fraud amounting to over Rs 8 lakh crore, was arrested in Kerala where he lived a frugal life. His arrest followed an investigation led by US authorities and the Kerala Police acting on a provisional warrant.Key Takeaways
- Lithuanian man arrested in Kerala for cryptocurrency fraud.
- Allegedly laundered over Rs 8 lakh crore.
- Led a surprisingly frugal life in scenic Varkala.
- Used to repair his own vehicle to save money.
- Arrest followed a provisional warrant from US authorities.
Thiruvananthapuram, March 15 (NationPress) A Lithuanian national, sought by US authorities for cryptocurrency fraud and apprehended in Kerala earlier this week, had been living a remarkably frugal lifestyle in the scenic tourist area of Varkala.
46-year-old Aleksej Besciokov was taken into custody on Tuesday in Varkala by the Kerala Police, just hours before he was planning to depart the country.
As reported by his landlord, Aleksej had resided in his house in Varkala for the past eight years, frequently coming and going.
His landlord described him as a miser, noting that it had taken him several years to agree to a rent increase and that he drove an old two-wheeler worth Rs 12,000.
To save on repair costs, Aleksej would often fix his two-wheeler himself rather than pay local mechanics.
On the day before his arrest, his family had returned to their homeland.
The local community expressed surprise at learning that Aleksej was involved in transactions worth crores, recalling that he was a rather reserved individual.
Unlike many foreign tourists in Varkala who are known for their lively beach celebrations, Aleksej and his occasional visitors were notably quiet.
In a twist of fate, a vigilant police officer noticed something unusual while visiting Aleksej's rented accommodation, following a directive from the Patiala House Court in New Delhi.
Upon the officer's arrival, Aleksej attempted to offer him a stack of Rs 500 notes, which were later discovered to total Rs 50,000.
The officer promptly reported this to his superiors, leading to a larger police presence that resulted in Aleksej's arrest.
Subsequently, Aleksej, who was in judicial remand in the state capital, was flown to New Delhi by a contingent of Kerala Police officials and CBI agents.
Upon arrival in Delhi, he was presented before the Patiala House Court, which ordered his judicial custody.
Aleksej had been under US sanctions since 2022, having established a cryptocurrency exchange named 'Garantex'. According to documents from the US Secret Service, he is accused of facilitating money laundering involving at least $96 billion (over Rs 8 lakh crore) in cryptocurrency dealings for transnational criminal organizations, including terrorist groups, in violation of sanctions.
The prompt action leading to his arrest came after the Ministry of External Affairs received a provisional arrest warrant at the behest of US officials, which was executed by the Kerala Police in Varkala.
