BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: A local man has been detained and crypto mining equipment seized after authorities uncovered the illegal use of electricity to operate cryptocurrency mining rigs, including Bitcoin machines.
The coordinated operation was led by the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) and involved multiple enforcement agencies, namely: Limau Manis Police Station, Sengkurong Police Station, the Digital Forensics Unit, Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department, the Department of Electrical Services, the Internal Security Department (ISD), the Department of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), and the Autoriti Elektrik Negara Brunei Darussalam (AEBD).
The raids were carried out simultaneously at several strategic locations, including the Sangai-Sangai Industrial Site along Jalan Sangai-Sangai Burong Lepas in Kampong Bengkurong, and the Lugu Light Industrial Area in Mukim Sengkurong.
Investigations revealed that electricity was siphoned without authorisation to power a network of high-powered mining machines used to generate cryptocurrency. All evidence has been confiscated for further investigation.
The suspect is being investigated under the Electricity Act for tampering with and misusing electricity supply without approval.
The RBPF has reiterated that electricity theft is a serious offence that endangers public safety and property, and warned that strict legal action will be taken against offenders. Members of the public are urged to report any suspicious activities to their nearest police station or contact the emergency line at 993. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
