In the Oktyabrsky District Court of Irkutsk, a group of fraudsters who deceived almost 70 people was convicted. They fictitiously sold mining equipment and provided “mining hotel” services.

In 2021, five residents of the Chelyabinsk region posted online advertisements for the sale of mining equipment on behalf of the Greenstar Mining company. Clients were offered supplies of devices with a 50 percent advance payment, as well as services for placing equipment in a mining hotel. However, as a result, clients received neither equipment nor money. In total, 68 people were deceived, and the amount of stolen funds exceeded 12 million rubles.

“A reputable office, employees in uniform, business cards, folders with the company logo and baseball caps as gifts for clients – taken together, did not arouse suspicion among clients about the company’s trustworthiness, and prices for equipment, below market prices, were pleasing to the eye and ensured an influx of a considerable number of people wishing to purchase mining machine,” reports the telegram channel “Courts 38”.

The court found the accused guilty and sentenced them to prison terms ranging from 3 years 8 months to 4 years. Victims should receive compensation for the stolen funds.

Earlier in Irkutsk, they managed to detain two men involved in several cases of theft of mining equipment.