Summary:

Russian police have detained an individual alleged to be part of a scam involving cryptocurrency mining that reportedly defrauded approximately 270 million rubles (equivalent to $3.2 million) from nearly 100 victims. Authorities began investigating after a local resident informed them in February that he had given an ASIC mining machine to a person who claimed to run a “mining hotel,” with promises of generating passive income.

The 26-year-old suspect and two accomplices are accused of selling the equipment provided to them and retaining the funds that were meant for purchasing additional mining rigs.

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Additional Information:

• Police have opened a fraud case against the suspect and are actively interviewing victims as they search for the other members of the fraudulent group.
• This incident is reminiscent of a similar case in 2022, where two individuals were involved in a scam that stole 2 million rubles from local residents by promoting a fraudulent mining hosting operation.