Russian Crypto Miner Accused of Illegally Draining 6 Million Rubles in Electricity
A 39-year-old man in Russia's Komi Republic faces criminal charges for allegedly stealing electricity to power a cryptocurrency mining operation. Authorities estimate the damage to the regional energy supplier at 6 million rubles.
The suspect reportedly bypassed legal connections, tapping directly into the power grid to run his mining farm since August last year. No registration or permits were obtained for the operation, which was discovered by FSB officers during a raid.
Investigators seized mining equipment installed in a separate building on the suspect's property. The case highlights ongoing challenges in regulating energy-intensive crypto mining activities across Russia.