KUALA TERENGGANU: An illegal bitcoin mining syndicate in Hulu Terengganu and Marang was busted by police and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) recently.
Terengganu police chief Datuk Mohd Khairi Khairuddin said the operation against the syndicate was conducted by the police and TNB’s Special Engagement Against Losses (SEAL) unit.
Raids on two premises – one in Bukit Perpat, Hulu Terengganu, and another in Wakaf Tapai, Marang – led to the seizure of 45 bitcoin mining machines worth an estimated RM225,000.
“The syndicate operated from residential and commercial properties and had tapped electricity illegally to avoid detection,” he said, Bernama reported.
“We confiscated not only the machines but also various other equipment used in the operation. The electricity theft is estimated to have cost TNB around RM36,000 in monthly losses,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Mohd Khairi said no arrests were made during the raids, but all seized items were taken to the respective district police headquarters for further investigation.
The case is being investigated under Sections 379 and 427 of the Penal Code, as well as Section 37 of the Electricity Supply Act.
Convicted offenders may face up to five years’ imprisonment, fines of up to RM100,000, or both.
