Russian hid 200 Bitcoin mining devices in workshops and private houses

The Irkutsk department of the Investigative Committee believes that from June to December last year, a resident of Shelekhov placed at least 100 units of mining equipment in unspecified industrial premises in the city and connected them to the power grid. The law enforcement officials claim that no one paid for the consumed electricity. The energy companies calculated the damage at 29 million rubles.

In addition, the accused organized mining sites in private houses and utility buildings in the villages of Chistye Klyuchi and Baklashi, where he installed another 101 devices, according to the case materials. In these locations, electricity was paid for, but at a preferential tariff intended for the population, not for industrial enterprises. Since cryptocurrency mining activities are subject to commercial tariffs, the energy supply company calculated additional damage amounting to 9 million rubles. The total damage thus exceeded 38 million rubles.

During searches, law enforcement officers confiscated the miner's equipment, as well as an expensive car. The Investigative Committee reported that the accused partially compensated for the damage caused.

Mining is prohibited throughout the Shelekhovsky District of the Irkutsk Region starting from 2025.

In Veliky Novgorod, Russian police recently discovered nine covertly operating mining farms. According to the investigation, they were organized by four local residents who illegally connected the equipment to power grids. The company "Novgorodoblenergo" estimated the damage from the nine farms at more than 18.6 million rubles.