Hotline of power engineering specialists:
The Investigation Department of Municipality "Morshansky" (Tambov region) of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs completed the verification of a statement of the fact of unauthorized connection to the grid of IDGC of Centre – Tambovenergo division to supply electricity to "Agrotorg K" LLC, located in the station of Vernadovka of Pichayevsky district. The check found that during the period from 7 April 2016 to September 2016 because of these actions and the subsequent consumption of electricity in the absence of a concluded power supply contract in the prescribed manner, "Agrotorg K" LLC caused Tambovenergo material damage on a large scale in excess of two million rubles. In this incident on 3 November a criminal case was opened on the grounds of the offense under paragraph "B" of Part 2 of Article 165 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("property damage to the owner of the property through abuse of trust in the absence of signs of theft, causing especially large damage") and implies punishment, including imprisonment up to 5 years. The case was allowed.
IDGC of Centre continues regular work on the prevention and suppression in regions of its service area (11 subjects of the Central Federal District) of facts of non-metered and non-contractual electricity consumption. Staff of Distribution Zones and electricity metering departments of the company’s branches conducts regular raids and specialists of the security unit are also involved to participate. Particular attention is paid to work with troubled consumers. Their check is preceded by thorough preparation and briefing of participants of a raid by specialists of security units of the branches. As part of investigative measures staff of the regional FSB and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia were involved to take part in raids in several cases.
Under revealed facts of theft claim-related work is carried out. Claim materials on facts of unauthorized energy consumption, revealed by the security unit of IDGC of Centre, are sent to the law enforcement agencies, and often serve as the basis to commence criminal cases against energy thieves.
IDGC of Centre is going to consistently seek recovery from unscrupulous consumers. It should be recalled that funds received from defaulters, the company uses, including, to finance its core production activities, which is especially important due to the reduction of investment sources in recent years because of the crisis.