Illegal Bitcoin mining activities using stolen electricity were successfully busted in an operation in Bandar Seri Iskandar, Perak.
In the raid, police seized 62 Bitcoin mining machines believed to be operating using illegal electricity connections.
The operation, conducted by the Criminal Investigation Division of the Perak Tengah District Police Headquarters (IPD) together with the Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) Northern Branch SEAL team, raided two premises in Persiaran SIBC based on intelligence and information received.
Initial investigations found that both premises were believed to be used as cryptocurrency mining centres using electricity connections without a valid meter belonging to TNB.
In addition to 62 Avalon Miner Bitcoin mining machines, police also seized two internet routers, four computer network switch units and two rolls of electrical cables.
All seized items have been taken to the Perak Tengah IPD case goods store to assist in further investigations.
So far, no individuals have been arrested and efforts to track down the suspect and identify the owner of the premises are still ongoing.
TNB estimates the loss due to the theft of electricity supply for the operation to be approximately RM60,000.
The case is being investigated under Section 427 of the Penal Code and Section 37(1) of the Electricity Supply Act 1990.
The police stressed that cryptocurrency mining activities that use electricity illegally not only cause losses to TNB, but also increase the risk of fire and threaten public safety.
Members of the public who have information regarding illegal Bitcoin mining activities or the theft of electricity supply are asked to channel information to the police to assist in the investigation or can contact the Perak Tengah IPD Operations Room at 05-3712222.
