Russian Police Seize 2,700 Crypto Mining Rigs in Major St. Petersburg Raid

Highlights:

• Russian police seized mining rigs in St Petersburg after uncovering years of illegal power manipulation.
• Authorities in Russia and Abu Dhabi tighten rules to stop crypto mining abuse and electricity theft on farms.
• Crypto mining rigs now face stricter monitoring as nations move to prevent energy fraud and tax evasion.

Russian police have seized over 2,700 mining rigs from an illegal cryptocurrency mining farm in St. Petersburg. The Interior Ministry said the operation had been running since 2018. Investigators began probing the facility earlier this year after spotting suspicious power consumption patterns at the site.

Russian police seized over 2,700 crypto mining rigs in a St. Petersburg raid, where suspects manipulated power meters to avoid paying for electricity since 2018. The operation exposes growing illegal mining trends using advanced energy theft techniques across Russia. Authorities… pic.twitter.com/LMmqnAEKfD

— Fama Crypto (@Famacrypt) October 7, 2025

Three residents of St. Petersburg allegedly managed the mining farm. They signed a power connection contract seven years ago and used it to access the city’s grid. Officials believe the suspects manipulated electricity usage data to avoid paying full bills. The facility consumed vast amounts of energy while showing minimal readings on official meters.

Officers from the Interior Ministry, assisted by the Russian National Guard, raided several non-residential premises and shipping containers. Video released by the ministry showed officers breaking into containers filled with active mining rigs and cooling fans. Authorities also confiscated two transformers and other electrical components used to support the illegal operation.

The farm remained functional until August 2025. Police arrested the three individuals and detained them for questioning. The ministry confirmed that the suspects face criminal charges for property damage caused by deception and meter manipulation.

Investigators Trace Seven-Year Power Meter Manipulation Scheme

Investigators discovered that the suspects had tampered with meters to produce false power readings. This trick disguised the amount of electricity that was actually being used. The inquiry was initiated when grid experts observed bid differences between the reported and the actual consumption rates.

According to officials, the group used advanced electrical knowledge to alter meter systems and transmit false data. The modifications cut their electricity payments by a substantial margin that enabled the farm to run unnoticed over several years.

The suspects were charged according to Article 165(2) of the Russian Criminal Code. The charge involves property damage through deception or abuse of trust. The Interior Ministry is still identifying potential accomplices linked to the operation. Officials did not disclose the total power stolen or the types of coins mined. However, they said the case highlights the scale of electricity misuse tied to unregulated crypto mining across several Russian regions.

Illegal Crypto Mining Rigs Highlight Wider Trend Across Russia

The St. Petersburg raid underscores Russia’s broader campaign against illegal crypto mining. Similar cases have surfaced in Donetsk, the North Caucasus, Southern Siberia, and Dagestan. In Donetsk, authorities shut down a smaller farm of 25 rigs that caused losses worth about 14 million rubles.

Energy suppliers have discovered hidden underground mining locations meant to evade detection in Dagestan and Siberia. Others have gone to the extent of having mobile rigs attached to trucks or vans that they can move in case authorities come. This mobility complicates enforcement.

Russia has also introduced a national registry to track cryptocurrency mining equipment. The Ministry of Energy created it with the Federal Tax Service and the Ministry of Digital Development to prevent power abuse and tax evasion. Meanwhile, the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority banned cryptocurrency mining on agricultural land. Violators face fines of AED100,000 and risk electricity cuts and loss of municipal services.

💥BREAKING:

🇦🇪Abu Dhabi has prohibited crypto mining on farmland, with violators facing Dh100,000 fines and service suspensions.#uae #crypto #farmland #cryptonews #dubai #cryptoscam #cryptobanned pic.twitter.com/aA29lt8pnp

— Kanishk chaudhary (@Kanishk1804) October 2, 2025

The Interior Ministry said it will continue targeting illegal mining operations nationwide. Authorities insisted that more oversight and coordination would be central to preventing the abuse of power associated with crypto mining.