As part of the investigation of the case of illegal use of electricity, three suspects in the organization of hosting for mining in the Irkutsk region were detained, the regional department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation said.

Police officers detained two tenants and the owner of the shopping complex, who are suspected of organizing illegal hosting for mining on the territory of TSN (partnership of real estate owners), Youth, as part of a criminal case of fraud in a particularly large amount in the summer of 2024.

According to law enforcement agencies, the owner of the complex leased the premises to two local residents. Men organized hosting on its territory, providing other persons with the opportunity to place equipment for mining cryptocurrencies. The tenants connected the equipment to the TSN “Molodezhnoye” at the preferential tariff of 0.994 rubles per kW. h.

According to preliminary information, the suspects caused property damage in the amount of over 200 million rubles. The Investigative Committee emphasized that miners worked for at least five years before their unlawful activities were revealed.

Earlier, the Russian government completely banned the extraction of cryptocurrencies in the south of the Irkutsk region. The ban should be valid from April 7, 2025 to March 15, 2031, the resolution says, signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.