Police in Malaysia have closed a bitcoin mining operation and confiscated 1,720 bitcoin miners in a major power theft act following public complaints. “Police inspected 75 premises around the district and found 30 of them illegal bitcoin mining activities and electricity theft.”
Malaysian authorities shut down bitcoin mining operation
Local media reported that Malaysian police uncovered a major electricity theft involving bitcoin mining. Perak police chief Datuk Mayor Faridlatrash Wahid said at a press conference at Manjung district police headquarters on Thursday that the action was taken after complaints from the public.
Noting that the operation involved Tenaga National Berhad (TNB) and Sitiyawan Fire and Rescue Station, the police chief explained:
This operation is the biggest success with TNB this year.
He said that according to TNB, the electricity theft was about RM2 million ($478,870).
“Police inspected 75 premises around the district and 30 of them were found to be involved in illegal bitcoin mining activities and theft of electricity,” the police chief explained.
We have seized 1,720 bitcoin miners.
In addition, “15 monitors, 22 central processing units (CPUs), 16 keyboards, seven mice, 56 modems and a laptop” were also seized, the police chief detailed. He added: “One Toyota Hilux, 44 exhaust fans, five alarms and seven closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras were also seized.”
Mior Faridalthrush explained that further investigation is underway to identify the mastermind behind the illegal bitcoin mining operation and to establish how long it has been going on.
Police also arrested a 28-year-old caretaker of the campus in Ayyar Tavar on suspicion of carrying out illegal bitcoin mining activities and being involved in electricity theft. The police chief noted:
The arrested person has been remanded for four days and is being investigated under sections 379 and 427 of the Penal Code and the Electricity Supply Act 1990.
In July, Malaysian authorities completely destroyed 1,069 bitcoin miners with a Steamroller. The coins were confiscated earlier this year.
What do you think about this matter? Let us know in the comments section below.
image credit: Shutterstock, Pixabay, WikiCommons
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a direct offer or solicitation or recommendation or endorsement of an offer to buy or sell any products, services, or companies. Bitcoin.com does not provide investment, tax, legal or accounting advice. Neither the Company nor the author is responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in this article.