Paraguay's Administración Nacional de Electricidad (ANDE) has uncovered a scheme involving the theft of electricity at two commercial premises in the Central Department, both owned by the same person. According to a report by ABC Color, the company intervened at an ice factory in Areguá and a mini-market in Capiatá after its remote monitoring system flagged unusual consumption patterns.
Technical teams confirmed that the meters had been internally tampered with to interrupt the voltage reference, preventing the devices from recording about 33% of the actual energy used. At the Areguá ice plant, the manipulation affected Phase II, while at the Capiatá store it involved Phase III. Both businesses are registered under the name Mirtha Elizabeth Gamarra.
ANDE calculated the total financial loss from the undetected consumption at G. 57,279,256 (approximately USD 7,400). The company has filed a formal complaint with the prosecutor's office in Luque. Under Paraguay's Ley N.º 7300/24, which recently stiffened penalties for electricity theft, those convicted face prison sentences of up to 10 years. ANDE stated it will continue using remote monitoring technology to combat non-technical losses and ensure fair billing for all customers.