KL cops bust bitcoin mining operation, seize 250 machines

KUALA LUMPUR: Police here have busted a group that had been stealing electricity to power their bitcoin mining operations.

City police chief Comm Datuk Saiful Azly Kamaruddin, in a press conference at the contingent headquarters Friday (Feb 19), said that the group was arrested in a joint operation with Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB).

“On Wednesday (Feb 17) at around noon, the joint team raided a house in Bandar Sri Permaisuri Cheras. Two men were caught and 14 mining machines were seized.

“From that, five more premises nearby were raided, with two more suspects caught. In total, we seized 250 mining machines, among other items, ” he said, adding that the total seizure was worth around RM800,000.

TNB estimated that the theft of electricity had caused them around RM3mil in losses.

The operation is believed to have been active for around two years.

“They would operate from the highest floor of a shop lot and soundproof the room to prevent their activities from being discovered, ” Comm Saiful said.