Malaysian authorities arrest seven individuals for power theft linked to Bitcoin mining

Malaysian authorities have recently arrested seven individuals for allegedly engaging in illegal Bitcoin mining operations involving electricity theft. According to local media reports from Bernama, the arrests were made last week and included three locals and four foreign nationals. The suspects were detained separately in operations targeting power theft related to Bitcoin mining.

Malaysia Cracks Down on Crypto Mining, Seizes $57,000 in Equipment

Sepang District Police Chief ACP confirmed that these individuals had no criminal records and contributed to the manipulations. The main purpose of the operation was to expose the people who use bitcoins and were stealing electricity to do so. During the crackdown, police arrested people and confiscated 52 Bitcoin mines and other electronic devices. The total value of the seized equipment is approximately RM250, 000 or about $57,000.

This operation is a segment of a larger plan to combat power theft associated with crypto mining. Last month, the country’s Deputy Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, said that Malaysian crypto miners had stolen over $777 million worth of electricity from 2018 to 2023.

Moreover, the clampdown on illegitimate mining activity has been ramped up as miners shifted their operations from China, which completely banned crypto mining in 2021, to countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Laos, and Thailand, offering low electricity tariffs and superior infrastructure.

On August 17, the authorities conducted a special operation in Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi and Taman Putra Perdana, resulting in the arrest of the suspects. The operation led to the arrest of fifty-two mining machines, two vehicles, three laptops, and seven mobile phones. The suspects have been charged with criminal mischief, stealing electricity, and immigration permit offenses.

Furthermore, on August 19, the police in Perak Tengah seized 985 units of Bitcoin mining devices and other associated equipment worth about RM1.97 million. This equipment had been seized for over two years to contain and prevent illegal mining. It was done after due legal process and without violating any environmental guidelines.