Illegal Crypto Mining Farm Found in Cowshed

In the Irkutsk region, law enforcement officers and specialists from the power grid company, along with special forces officers, have discovered an illegal cryptocurrency mining farm hidden in a cowshed. Over 60 pieces of mining equipment were found inside the cowshed and garage of a peasant farming enterprise.

Complaints about illegal electricity consumption began to surface in 2022. A 40-year-old individual entrepreneur engaged in farming in the district reported inflated electricity bills. In March 2023, officials tracked down the illegal energy consumers.

During the operation of the mining farm, the total amount of illegally consumed electricity exceeded 2.5 million rubles. Police have seized the mining equipment, and a criminal case has been initiated under Part 2 of Article 165 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (causing property damage through deception or abuse of trust).