In a series of raids, Malaysian police busted many Bitcoin mining operations. Bitcoin miners in Malaysia that have been caught are considered basic stores. In total, authorities seized more than 400 Bitcoin mining machines.
Overall, the cost for these mining machines is up to RM 180,000. Specifically, that amount amounts to $43,800. The raids took place in George Town, Penang.
Bitcoin Miners in Malaysia Arrested
The Assistant Commissioner, Soffian Santong, led the charge. The task force consisted of members from the state criminal investigation bureau, prefectural police headquarters, and Tenaga Nasional. In particular, this group burst into stores to catch illegal Bitcoin miners.
The raid began at 11:30 p.m. and lasted until 3 a.m. Friday, June 11. Later, officials discovered the criminals were directly sucking electricity to power the units. Bitcoin miners.
The task force made arrests from the first 3 raids. Here, they arrested 4 suspects. When interrogating the suspects, it was found that they had only started their activities a few months ago.
The interrogation of the suspects helped lead officials to their next target. In total, the task force raided seven houses. They are in Lintang Hajjah Rehmah, Jelutong, Sungai Dua and Bayan Lepas.
In a statement, Soffian stated that “During the raids at Lintang Hajjah Rehmah, Jelutong, Sungai Dua and Bayan Lepas, police also confiscated 4 computers, 11 routers, 4 modems and 10 fans”.
Initial investigation revealed that all four facilities were stealing electricity for bitcoin mining operations.
The Assistant Commissioner revealed that the suspects questioned said they were cleaners and only started working two months ago. However, inspections at all four properties raided found evidence they had unauthorized electrical connections to the properties.
Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), Malaysia’s multinational power company, estimated losses of RM420,000 or $102,239 over the past 2 months due to the electricity theft.
Bitcoin mining crime boss in Malaysia is still big
Police are still looking for the head of the organization, which is said to have been operating for several months.
The four suspects are still being removed to facilitate investigation under Sections 379 and Section 427 of the Penal Code and Section 37 of the Power Supply Act 1990.
These are not the first illegal bitcoin mining operations discovered in Malaysia in recent times. Since Soffian believes that several other activities are currently being used for a similar purpose, they certainly may not be the last.
Task forces are tracking down the mastermind behind the entire Bitcoin mining setup. It seems that illegal Bitcoin mining is on the rise across the country recently. Officials are trying to track down the head of the belt to prevent power sucking. Overall, the stolen electricity amounted to RM204,000, or $102,239, in just two months.
Illegal bitcoin mining seems to be on the rise. In February, Malaysian police in Jahor state arrested a gang of seven people accused of stealing electricity worth 8.6 million Malaysian ringgit ($2.15 million) to mine Bitcoin and other currencies. other electronics.
Authorities seized a total of 1746 bitcoin mining rigs, spread across 21 facilities. Police carried out raids on all these properties between 15 February and 16 February according to local media Malay Mail.
Last year, four cryptocurrency miners were accused of stealing electricity from state-owned electricity supplier Sarawak Energy Berhad, or SEB. The perpetrators stole more than $59,000 per month from the power company.
According to the Electrical Inspection Unit, or EIU, of the Sarawak Department of Utilities, since 2018, more than 50 similar cases of electricity theft have been busted.
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