A 68-year-old pensioner from the Moscow Region has found himself in deep legal trouble over his foray into illegal crypto mining. The penalties have been severe: a fine of 4.1 million rubles, loss of all his equipment, and a two-year suspended sentence.
How the Illegal Crypto Mining Scheme Worked
Pro Blockchain Media Live reports that the pensioner had installed a container of purpose-built mining equipment in his yard to keep it out of sight of the authorities and neighbors alike. In order to run the operation, he drew power from a three-phase cable off the main line, bypassing any legal electricity meters. This arrangement allowed for clandestine cryptocurrency mining at the expense of considerable unmetered electricity consumption.
When energy company inspectors discovered the setup, they put an end to it. Their investigation estimated the damages caused by the pensioner’s mining at well over 4 million rubles, a figure attributable to the amount of electricity a mining farm consumes.
Legal Consequences and Confiscation
The matter was taken up by a Moscow Region court, which imposed a suspended two-year sentence and ordered him to pay 4.1 million rubles in restitution. His hardware was confiscated by the state. The host of Pro Blockchain Media Live noted the extent of the pensioner’s material and financial loss; in addition to losing his equipment, he is left with a significant bill to the government. A cautionary tale for those tempted by illicit mining.
Crypto Mining Ban in Moscow Region
The context of the case is important. There has been a total prohibition on crypto mining in Moscow and the region since 15 August 2023, making it unlawful regardless of scale or intention. With regulatory authorities becoming more vigilant in places where there is an outright ban, the pensioner’s predicament is a reminder of what can happen to anyone who does not consider the law before starting to mine.
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