Cryptocurrency Miner Faces Trial for Stealthy Million-Ruble Energy Heist

In the Irkutsk region of Russia, a 35-year-old cryptocurrency miner has been indicted for illegally tapping into the power grid, leading to significant financial loss. Operating from January to February 2023, the individual established a sizable bitcoin mining operation with 214 units of equipment on a leased non-residential premises. The miner illicitly connected to a neighboring substation’s transformers using jumper wires, bypassing the energy company’s metering and billing system, according to Bits.media.

The evasion of electrical energy payment led to the power company accruing losses estimated at around 1 million rubles. The discovery of this unauthorized connection by police in February 2024 resulted in the disconnection of the power supply and the initiation of a criminal case. The case has now been forwarded to the Cheremkhovo city court for a detailed examination.

This incident underscores the growing challenge of unauthorized cryptocurrency mining and its impact on public resources and safety. It follows a related event in Usolye-Sibirskoye, Irkutsk, where mining equipment caused a fire, nearly destroying a magistrate’s court building. These cases highlight the need for stricter oversight and regulation of cryptocurrency mining activities to prevent illegal energy consumption and ensure public safety.