Seven Rosseti Employees Arrested Over $10 Million Crypto Mining Fraud

* Seven Rosseti employees arrested in an alleged illegal crypto mining operation. * The scheme allegedly caused 10 million rubles in damages as Russia cracks down on unauthorized mining. On December 29, 2025, Russian authorities arrested seven employees of Rosseti Moscow Region, alleging the group was involved in illegal cryptocurrency mining that caused 10 million rubles in damages. Authorities accuse the detained individuals, who include electricians and lead engineers, of manipulating electricity meter readings and helping two illegal mining data centers evade inspections. These arrests mark a significant point in Russia’s ongoing efforts to combat unauthorized crypto mining. On December 29, Oreanda-News reported that such operations increasingly strain the national energy grid and cause significant financial losses for power providers. In 2024 alone, Rosseti documented damages exceeding 1.3 billion rubles ($14.2 million) from illegal mining activities. As part of broader enforcement measures, authorities also shut down other illegal facilities. For instance, on December 26, Oreanda-News reported that a joint operation by the Federal Security Service (FSB) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs shut down an unauthorized mining farm in Transbaikalia. This facility allegedly caused over 5 million rubles in financial losses by illegally connecting to the power grid of a uranium mining enterprise. These enforcement actions reflect Russia's heightened focus on curbing illegal cryptocurrency mining, as mounting financial losses and the strain on energy resources prompt discussions about introducing stricter penalties for offenders. In response, Russian power providers are exploring advanced technological solutions, like artificial intelligence, to detect electricity theft and prevent unauthorized mining.