Illegal Crypto Mining Uncovered on Omsk Power Grid

Russian investigators have uncovered an illegal cryptocurrency mining scheme in Omsk, where power plant employees and local residents allegedly stole electricity worth over 12 million rubles.

Authorities expose large-scale underground mining operation

Russia’s Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case over illegal cryptocurrency mining in Omsk involving the city’s CHP-4 power station.
According to the regional branch of the Federal Security Service (FSB), a deputy technical director and four local residents were involved in the scheme, which relied on unauthorized connections to the industrial power grid.

FSB spokesperson Irina Rusnak said that in April 2024, agents discovered two fully operational mining farms running 24/7 near a residential area. The facilities were directly connected to a transformer substation, allowing the group to conceal actual power consumption.

Electricity theft estimated at over 12 million rubles

Investigators found that between 2022 and 2024, four individuals paid the CHP-4 employee Igor Suvorov for connecting and maintaining mining equipment.
The total amount of illegal payments reached 500,000 rubles, while the stolen electricity was valued at 12 million rubles.

According to FSB experts, the losses contributed to higher regional electricity tariffs, indirectly affecting ordinary consumers.

Criminal case and asset seizures

Suvorov now faces criminal charges under Article 204 of the Russian Criminal Code, covering the illegal provision of services and commercial bribery by a group.
The Omsk city court has seized property belonging to all five suspects worth around 6 million rubles.

Authorities continue investigating whether additional employees of energy companies were involved in the illegal mining operation.