Eight arrested over power theft, 1,069 bitcoin mining machines worth RM5.3mil seized


MIRI (Bernama): A total of 1,069 units of bitcoin mining machines worth RM5.3mil were seized in a joint operation carried out by police and Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) in Miri between February and April.

Miri police chief ACP Hakemal Hawari said eight individuals were also arrested for being involved in mining activities using electricity stolen from SEB's electricity supply lines during the period.

"A total of six people have been successfully charged under Section 379 of the Penal Code for electricity theft and have been fined up to RM8,000 and jailed for up to eight months," he said in a statement here Friday (July 16).

All seizures made in the cases that had been settled in court were disposed of at the Miri district police headquarters today.

According to him, SEB also suffered a loss of RM8.4mil due to electricity theft for the bitcoin mining activities here.

"The electricity theft for mining bitcoin activities has caused frequent power outages and in 2021, three houses were razed due to illegal electricity supply connections," he added. - Bernama

Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

RM 11.12/month

Billed as RM 11.12 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter.

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 9.87/month

Billed as RM 118.40 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Nation

Ramanan's Deepavali open house unites leaders of various races, reflecting the spirit of 'otrumai madani'
Floods: K'tan rescue agencies coordinate operations to avoid overlaps
Melaka polls: Campaign with dignity, preserve unity govt ties, says Tok Mat
Penang Diabetic Society introduces TCM to complement conventional treatment
RM123mil Batang Kemena Bridge officially opened in Sebauh
Batam Church highlights human trafficking as more Indonesians deported
Melaka polls: Dr Wee advocates fine-tuning car-free zone to protect local businesses
Restaurant worker jailed, fined for concealing baby's birth
Agarwood oil grading standards to be drawn up towards building 'Malaysian Oud' brand
Penang Sentral waiting area not for overnight stays, travellers told

Air Pollutant Index

Note: API is calculated based on 24hr running average of the most dominant parameter.

Highest API Readings

    Select State and Location to view the latest API reading

    Others Also Read