SUNGAI SIPUT: Vacant shophouses have been targeted by cryptocurrency mining syndicates, with the premises believed to have been broken into and converted to mining centres without the owners’ knowledge.
Perak police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said the activity was uncovered following four raids at three shophouses in Sungai Siput and another in Seri Iskandar on Monday (Aug 31).
“The shophouses are left vacant for long periods as the owners are away and this is when the suspects allegedly break in and use them for cryptocurrency mining.
“They would install the cryptocurrency mining machines and leave them there without anyone looking after them as the proceeds are transferred online,” he said at a press conference at the Sungai Siput police headquarters here on Wednesday (Sept 2).
He said the first raid, conducted at about 4pm at a shophouse, led to the seizure of 58 cryptocurrency mining machines, a laptop and two routers.
The second raid, at about 5pm at Taman SS2 Perdana, resulted in the seizure of 26 mining machines, a laptop and a router.
The third raid, at about 6.30pm at a shophouse in Taman Alamanda, led to the arrest of a 39-year-old man who claimed to be the caretaker of the shophouse.
“However, the suspect claimed that he was unaware of the activity being carried out there.
“Further investigations are underway to identify the owners of the machines, those involved and how the electricity supply was obtained and used,” he said.
He said the three raids in Sungai Siput, conducted with Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), uncovered a total of 132 cryptocurrency mining machines and various networking equipment.
Meanwhile, another raid was carried out at Seri Iskandar, with initial checks finding that the premises did not have an electricity meter supplied by TNB.
"Instead, there was an electricity connection believed to have been illegally installed.
"No arrests have been made so far. Investigations are ongoing to identify the individuals and parties involved," he added.
Comm Mohd Alwi said that the cases are being investigated under Section 427 of the Penal Code and Section 37(1) of the Electricity Supply Act 1990.
He said a total of 168 cryptocurrency mining machines, along with networking equipment and related electrical cables, were seized in both operations.
“Enforcement efforts will be intensified with TNB to detect and curb electricity theft for cryptocurrency mining activities.
“Police will also look into the ownership of the premises, the source of the machines, electricity connections and financial flows if there are elements linked to the activities,” he said.
He advised premises owners to regularly monitor their properties, especially those that are vacant or rented out, to prevent them from being misused for criminal activities.
