Malaysian Bitcoin Mining Gang Stole Over $2M in Electricity, Say Police

Police seized 1,746 bitcoin mining machines across 21 premises in raids this week.

Feb 18, 2021 at 9:40 a.m. UTC

Authorities in Johor state, Malaysia, arrested seven men for stealing millions of dollars-worth of electricity to mine bitcoin earlier this week.

An operation involving the local electricity company Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and Johor police led to the arrest of the suspects aged between 24 and 64, according to a Malay Mail report Wednesday.
The investigation found the gang had cost TNB 8.6 million Malaysian ringgits ($2.13 million) in lost revenue since it started mining activities in 2020.
The police seized 1,746 bitcoin mining machines worth a claimed RM2.6 million ($64,000) across 21 premises.
“The syndicate, which has been active since the beginning of last year, carried out its activities on the top floor of a shophouse to avoid detection by the authorities,” said Johor’s police chief, Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay.
Police are still investigating the operation and trying to track down the mastermind of the group and other members who are still at large, he added.