Illegal Crypto Mining Operation Discovered Hidden Under School Floor

[ad_1]

Photo: Cohasset Gendarmerie

A man has been arrested and faces charges in a small town outside of Boston after local authorities uncovered “an illegal cryptocurrency mining operation” hidden under a school’s floor.

As the BBC reports, the defendant, Nadeam Nahas, 39, was previously assistant facilities manager in the small town of Cohasset, about 10 miles from Boston. In December 2021, a “routine inspection” of the school revealed suspicious changes.

Cohasset Police Chief William Quigley told the BBC that according to Cohasset High School Facilities Manager, “During a routine inspection of the school he noticed electrical wires, temporary conduits and many computers that seemed out of place”.

Conduits and wiring all headed to the same location, “near the school’s boiler room,” and checking underground for “a cryptocurrency mining operation illegally plugged into the school’s electrical system.” was discovered.

Photo: Cohasset Gendarmerie

G/O Media may receive a commission

As you can see from the image above, provided by local police, although this was not a warehouse-sized operation – a total of 11 computers were discovered, including indoor “coolers” that vented to the outside – that was still a significant amount of material hiding under the floors of a school. And it consumed more than enough power to leave a mark.

Authorities say the mining facility operated from April to December 2021 and racked up electricity bills for the school estimated at around $17,500. Nahas, who pleaded not guilty in a court appearance last week, resigned as deputy facilities manager soon after the operation was discovered. He was arrested last year after a months-long investigation involving not only local police, but also the US Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security.

The Boston Globe says Nahas’ specific charges are vandalism of a school and fraudulent use of electricity, and he was “ordered to stay clear of all public buildings in Cohassett.”

[ad_2]