Brazilian Gang Uncovered Using Stolen Electricity to Mine Cryptocurrency

A recent police operation in Rio de Janeiro has shed light on a new model of cryptocurrency-related crime. The Comando Vermelho gang, one of Brazil's largest organized criminal groups, was found to be using stolen electricity to power a crypto mining setup.

The operation targeted the gang's operational nucleus and discovered 30 computers arranged on shelves in an abandoned lot. The machines were connected to a clandestine electrical connection running directly from a utility pole, providing cheap or free electricity for the mining process.

This new model of crime exploits the fact that cryptocurrency mining is energy-intensive, with electricity being one of its highest operating costs. By using stolen power, the gang can avoid paying for electricity and generate significant savings.