Power engineers of the Armavir branch of Rosseti Kuban have revealed the theft of electricity in the eastern regions of the Krasnodar Territory, amounting to more than 5.9 million rubles. The stolen energy has exceeded 1.2 million kilowatt-hours. Acts on off-the-meter and non-contractual electricity consumption are drawn up against 34 consumers. The materials are handed over to law-enforcement authorities.

The fact of the theft made by a manufacturing enterprise, a large consumer of electricity, has been stopped in the Kavkazsky district. An unscrupulous owner made changes in to the meter design, distorting meter readings. The caused damage exceeded one million rubles.

Within six months of 2022, more than 250 raids to detect unauthorized meter functioning interventions and illegal connections to the power grid had been conducted by employees, including with the involvement of representatives of law enforcement authorities. Twenty five household consumers and nine legal entities violated the law. The largest amount of the theft was terminated in the Kavkazsky and Otradnensky districts, where power engineers revealed a total of 22 cases of energy theft at the sum of more than 4 million rubles.

The theft directly affects quality and reliability of electricity supply to residents and social institutions. Power facilities are designed for a certain load, and offenders, connecting to the electrical grid arbitrarily, overload the equipment, thereby impairing safety mode. At the same time, conscientious consumers suffer from voltage drops and lack of power. But the most important thing is that this illegal activity is dangerous for life of both a violator and associates.

Electricity theft is an offense that entails administrative and criminal liability up to imprisonment. According to the article 7.19 of Administrative Offences Code, it is assumed that as for unauthorized connection to electrical grid, as well as illegal (off-the-meter) use of electrical power, citizens are imposed a fine in the amount of 10 to 15 thousand rubles; officials - from 30 to 80 thousand rubles or disqualification for up to two years; legal entities - from 100 to 200 thousand rubles.

You can report of energy theft cases to law enforcement authorities or by calling the Rosseti hotline at 8-800-220-0-220 (anonymity is guaranteed).