Police, TNB bust Bitcoin mining operation

JEMPOL: Police busted a syndicate stealing electricity supply to carry out Bitcoin mining activities in raids on five shop lots around Bahau, which resulted in the seizure of RM380,000 worth of mining machines.

Jempol district police chief Supt Hoo Chang Hock said in the integrated operation on Sunday night, a Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) Special Engagement Against Losses (SEAL) team, along with a squad from the state-contingent police headquarters seized 190 Bitcoin mining machines.

“The seizure was also the biggest in the district so far. TNB suffered losses of RM216,487 as a result of the illegal activities carried out for a period of between two and four months.

“No arrests have been made so far. All the seized items were brought to the Jempol district police headquarters for further action. Police are actively tracing the premise owner to assist in the investigation,” he said in a statement here on Sunday.

The case is being investigated under Section 379 of the Penal Code as well as the Electricity Supply Act 1990, he added.