Police Bust Illegal Bitcoin Mining, Seize Equipment Worth Nearly RM1 Mln

KANGAR, Jan 6 (Bernama) -- Police have seized 259 bitcoin mining machines along with various supporting equipment, with an estimated total value of RM958,000, during separate raids at seven premises in Kangar town and Kuala Perlis.

Perlis police chief Datuk Muhammad Abdul Halim said the raids revealed that Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) suffered estimated losses of RM15.55 million due to bitcoin mining activities believed conducted using stolen electricity.

“The raids were carried out under Ops Cantas Elektrik between 9 am and 5.40 pm on Dec 31 following public information regarding power supply disruptions caused by excessive energy usage.

“Inspections found that all the premises involved had carried out illegal electricity connections without meters to operate bitcoin mining activities, believed to have been running for between three months and a year. The activities affected TNB’s revenue and operations,” he told a press conference here today.

Police were assisted by Perlis TNB technicians, the Penang TNB SEAL Team and the Rapid Intervention Motorcycle Unit of the Fire and Rescue Department in the operation.

He said police also detained a 19-year-old man during the raids, who was remanded on Jan 1 and 2 before being released on police bail.

The case is being investigated under Section 427 of the Penal Code and Section 37 of the Electricity Supply Act 1990.

Muhammad urged members of the public who have information related to electricity theft or who suspect illegal connections to channel the information to the Perlis Police Contingent Headquarters at 04-9872222 or the nearest police station.

-- BERNAMA