Zhytomyr hackers mined cryptocurrency on the basis of Ukrzaliznytsia

The Kyiv police have uncovered a scheme of illegal cryptocurrency mining — hackers were mining digital assets at the facilities of Ukrzaliznytsia.

According to law enforcement agencies, the criminals set up an underground mining farm at one of Ukrzaliznytsia’s facilities in Zhytomyr region. Interestingly, the initiators of the illegal cryptocurrency mining were railway employees who collaborated with a cryptocurrency miner, who helped organize the mining of digital assets.

For illegal mining, the criminals used Ukrzaliznytsia equipment and connected to the company’s power grid, thus mining cryptocurrency almost for free, or rather at public expense. Since its inception, the mining farm has caused Ukrzaliznytsia losses of UAH 1.7 million.

At the time of writing, law enforcement agencies are conducting an investigation, but a criminal case has already been opened. It is worth noting that miners from Zhytomyr are not the only criminals who have illegally mined cryptocurrency in Ukraine. At the end of July, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced theliquidation of an underground mining farm near Kharkiv that was stealing electricity in the frontline areas of eastern Ukraine. According to law enforcement officials, during the searches, investigators found mining equipment, which became one of the key pieces of evidence of criminal activity. The pre-trial investigation is currently underway.