Rosseti Employees Held Over Illegal Crypto Mining Scheme

Source: CryptoTale Original Title: Rosseti Employees Held Over Illegal Crypto Mining Scheme Original Link: https://cryptotale.org/rosseti-employees-held-over-illegal-crypto-mining-scheme/

Overview

• Seven power grid staff members were detained for helping illegal crypto mining electricity use.
• Probe links meter tampering and inspection leaks to mining sites that have been operating since 2024.
• Russia weighs wider mining bans as energy losses grow and central bank oversight expands.

Investigation Details

Police in Russia have detained seven employees of Rosseti Moscow Region over alleged involvement in illegal crypto mining operations. The suspects used internal access to help private mining farms hide electricity use. The case adds to enforcement pressure as authorities address energy losses tied to unregulated crypto mining.

Those detained held technical roles within the power company. Positions ranged from electricians to senior engineers. Investigators say the group provided paid services to mining operators. These services focused on concealing abnormal electricity consumption tied to large-scale crypto mining equipment.

Meter Tampering and Inspection Leaks

According to police, the employees deliberately altered electricity meter readings. They also helped mining farm owners evade both scheduled and surprise inspections. In exchange for payments, the workers reportedly warned miners in advance about upcoming site checks. Authorities said this allowed illegal operations to shut down equipment temporarily and avoid detection.

The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs said two mining data centers were uncovered in the city of Chekhov. Both facilities were located on private property. Officials stated that the sites had been operating since 2024 without authorization.

Preliminary estimates place the damage at roughly 10 million rubles. Officials said the losses stemmed from unbilled electricity and falsified consumption records. The investigation remains active.

The Moscow region case follows similar enforcement actions elsewhere. Recently, officers from the Federal Security Service and regional police shut down an illegal mining farm in Transbaikalia. Officials said the operation caused financial harm to the Priargunsk Mining and Chemical Association. Losses were estimated at about 5 million rubles.

Security officials said the mining equipment was connected directly to the industrial power grid. Electricity was consumed without proper metering. Actual usage levels were deliberately understated, according to investigators. Authorities said the setup placed strain on local energy infrastructure during periods of high demand.

Policy Response and Broader Restrictions

Concerns over grid stability have intensified policy discussions. Earlier reports indicated that a government commission is considering a year-round ban on crypto mining starting in 2026. The proposal would apply to southern Buryatia and the Trans-Baikal Territory.

The Ministry of Energy said the Energy Legal Commission would make the final decision. Officials stressed that no other regions have submitted formal requests for similar bans. Current restrictions remain targeted and region-specific. Authorities said broader limits would require additional economic and technical assessments.

Seasonal Bans and Industry Response

Seasonal mining bans already apply in Zabaikalsky Krai and southern Buryatia. These restrictions run from November 15 to March 15. The territories form part of the southeastern cluster of Siberia’s unified energy system. Officials say winter demand makes uncontrolled crypto mining especially risky during this period.

A permanent ban is already in effect in the Irkutsk Oblast. According to official data, the measure led to the removal of 320 megawatts of mining equipment from the grid. Energy officials say the change eased pressure on local networks and improved supply reliability for residential users.

Industry groups have criticized broader restrictions. The Industrial Mining Association warned that a year-round ban could hurt investment conditions. Representatives said companies invested heavily in equipment and facilities under earlier regulatory assumptions.

The association said the Irkutsk experience forced some firms to relocate infrastructure. Others mothballed equipment due to uncertainty. Industry representatives claim such outcomes reduce regional tax revenues and slow technology development tied to crypto mining operations.

Central Bank Oversight Expansion

Regulators are also expanding oversight tools. The Bank of Russia revealed earlier that it would begin regular data collection on miners and infrastructure operators in 2026. The measure appears in the draft financial market strategy for 2026 to 2028.

The central bank said the data would help assess mining scale and energy impact. It would also support systemic risk monitoring. Officials added that they would continue tracking risks tied to investment products linked to digital asset prices, including digital financial assets, securities, and derivatives offered to qualified investors.