A Russian individual has been placed under arrest for mining activities at their workplace., 2026/04/29 10:10:16

In the city of Syzran, located in the Samara region, the head of the electrical engineering laboratory at the enterprise “Tyazhmas” is suspected of illegally utilizing electricity for cryptocurrency mining for nearly four years.

According to the investigation, the individual connected to the factory’s electrical networks from September 2021 until July 2025. During an inspection, law enforcement discovered a fully operational mining farm at his workplace. The damage inflicted on the enterprise has been assessed by energy specialists at 18.81 million rubles, as reported by the unified press service of the courts.

A criminal case has been initiated against the suspect under the article concerning theft on a particularly large scale. The Syzran City Court has imposed a measure of restraint in the form of house arrest. The investigation is ongoing and is being prepared for submission to the court. 

Previously, a mining farm consisting of 160 devices was uncovered in the Achinsk district of the Krasnoyarsk region, connected to the electrical networks with violations of electricity accounting, as reported by the branch “Rosseti Siberia – Krasnoyarskenergo.” The damage, according to energy officials, amounted to over 13.6 million rubles.

Anatoly Aksakov, head of the State Duma Committee on the Financial Market, stated that there are more than 190,000 illegal miners in the country, while only 5,500 have legally registered their activities.

In April, the State Duma adopted a bill in its first reading concerning administrative fines for violations of cryptocurrency mining legislation. If the initiative is approved, fines for illegal mining could reach up to 2 million rubles.