The Ukrainian Security Service, or SBU, found and stormed a cryptocurrency mining farm suspected of stealing electricity from the country’s power system. However, instead of computers, the agency discovered racks piled vertically with thousands of PS4 Pros. According to Kotaku, Ukrainian officials seized almost 5,000 gaming-related gadgets, including 3,800 consoles, from a warehouse adjacent to (and formerly controlled by) the Vinnytsiaoblenergo energy distribution business.
It is the largest cryptofarm identified to date by the SBU, and the agency believes it is run by residents of Kyiv and Vinnytsia. According to reports, the operators utilized specialized power meters to conceal the theft, which totaled up to US$257,000. “At the same time,” the SBU stated in its release, “illegal electricity extraction might have far-reaching effects — entire neighborhoods in Vinnytsia could be without power.”
Vinnytsiaoblenergo denied any participation in a statement to the Kyiv Post: “Its company has never operated cryptocurrency mining equipment on our facilities.” Additionally, it stated that no proof of power theft was discovered and that the SBU’s conclusions “do not match to reality.” While it is unknown if the facility stole electricity or not, the SBU has released pictures of the PS4 Pros it discovered in the warehouse, which you can view below. As Kotaku points out, 3,800 consoles equates to a roughly US$1,500,000 investment, assuming they are all PS4 Pros.
Latest: September 2024
