According to Bits.media on June 1, a joint operation by the Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB), the police, and power companies seized an illegal cryptocurrency mining farm deployed with about 10,000 mining machines in an abandoned industrial plant area in Nizhny Tagil and the neighboring Kushva area in the Sverdlovsk Oblast. Local power companies estimate that the losses caused by this illegal electricity use are close to 1 billion rubles.
Criminal Method: Tampering with Power Meters and Connecting via Intermediaries
Investigators said the mine operators connected to the power grid through intermediaries and were suspected of tampering with meter data to conceal the true power consumption, causing the actual electricity usage to be about twice the approved quota. Local power company engineers said they initially launched an investigation because the area near the abandoned factory frequently saw voltage fluctuations, power outages, and equipment failure problems, and ultimately pinpointed the mining facility’s location.
Details of the Law-Enforcement Action and Related Cases
This operation was carried out jointly by representatives of the FSB, the police, and the power company. A local TV station filmed a documentary titled “Mining,” recording the process of the law-enforcement action. In addition, law-enforcement agencies recently found an independent mining rig setup containing 22 devices inside a garage in the city of Perm. The identity of the organizer remains undetermined, and the investigation is ongoing.
FAQ
How did Russia’s FSB discover this hidden mining farm?
After local power company engineers launched a review due to frequent voltage fluctuations, power outages, and equipment failure issues around the abandoned factory area, they identified the mining facility’s location, which in turn triggered a joint law-enforcement action by the FSB and the police.
How did the mining operators conceal illegal electricity use?
Investigators said the operators connected to the power grid via intermediaries and were suspected of tampering with meter data, making the displayed power usage far lower than the actual electricity consumption—actual usage was about twice the approved quota.
What criminal charges do the three suspects face?
The three suspects were charged under the case of “causing property loss through deception or abuse of trust.” Under relevant Russian laws, this type of offense carries a maximum sentence of up to 5 years in prison; the three are currently under house arrest measures.
