Federal authorities in Buryatia have discovered an illegal crypto mining operation concealed in a KamAZ truck using stolen electricity.
Discovery of Illegal Mining
In the Republic of Buryatia, Russian authorities uncovered an illegal cryptocurrency mining operation hidden inside a KamAZ truck. This operation was using stolen electricity intended for a local village. The discovery took place during a routine inspection of a 10-kilovolt power line in the Pribaikalsky District. Officials from Buryatenergo discovered 95 mining rigs and a mobile transformer station inside the truck, consuming enough power to supply an entire small village. Two individuals believed to be connected to the operation fled the scene in an SUV just before police arrived.
Mining Restrictions in Buryatia
Buryatia is one of several regions in Russia where cryptocurrency mining is restricted due to energy issues. Between November 15 and March 15, all mining activities are banned in most parts of Buryatia to conserve electricity during the harsh winter months. Outside of this period, only registered entities in designated areas such as the Severo-Baikalsky and Muisky districts are allowed to mine crypto. This crackdown aligns with federal measures aimed at limiting energy-intensive crypto mining in energy-strapped regions.
Cyber Threats in the Crypto Sphere
In a separate development, Russian cybersecurity has identified a hacker group known as "Librarian Ghouls" behind a cryptojacking campaign that has compromised hundreds of Russian computers. The attackers use phishing emails disguised as legitimate documents to install malware that mines cryptocurrency without the users' knowledge. The malware disables Windows Defender and is programmed to run mining operations between 1 am and 5 am to avoid detection.
With increasing cases of both physical and cyber-based illegal crypto mining, Russian authorities are doubling down on enforcement and compliance efforts.
