Fraudsters Convicted in Irkutsk for Fake Mining Equipment Sales

In the Oktyabrsky district court of Irkutsk, a fraudulent scheme orchestrated by a group from the Chelyabinsk region has been brought to justice. Nearly 70 individuals were duped into purchasing nonexistent mining equipment and services from a fabricated company named Greenstar Mining, according to Bits.media.

The swindlers advertised online and lured customers with the promise of delivering mining equipment upon a 50% prepayment. They also offered to host the equipment in a so-called “mining hotel.” Despite the professional appearance presented by the fraudsters, complete with uniforms, business cards, and company-branded paraphernalia, the customers ultimately did not receive the equipment they paid for, nor a refund, resulting in a collective loss exceeding 12 million rubles.

The scheme’s professional facade, coupled with attractively low prices for the equipment, did not raise immediate concerns among the buyers. However, the situation turned sour when the promised goods failed to materialize.

The court’s decision led to the conviction of the fraudsters, who now face prison sentences ranging from 3 years and 8 months to 4 years. Additionally, the court ordered that the victims be compensated for their financial losses.

This incident follows the recent detainment of two men in Irkutsk involved in separate mining equipment thefts, highlighting ongoing criminal activities within the cryptocurrency mining sector in the region.