KLANG: Police have shut down three cryptocurrency mining operations for alleged electricity theft.
South Klang OCPD Assistant Cha Hoong Fong said that they conducted a joint operation with Tenaga Nasional Berhad and the Klang Municipal Council on March 1-2.
"We carried out raids on three locations in Bandar Puteri and Bayu Perdana, arresting 12 men and seizing RM65,000 worth of cryptocurrency mining machines.
"The suspects were between the ages of 18 and 43. Background checks showed that seven of them had criminal records," he told reporters at the South Klang police headquarters on Thursday (March 3).
ACP Cha said that initial investigations also showed that the suspects were working as caretakers and technicians to monitor mining operations.
"According to our estimates, these three operations managed to generate profits of at least RM150,000 in more than two months.
"TNB estimates that these illegal operations stole more than RM60,000 worth of electricity," he said.
ACP Cha also said that illegal power connections could be detected by TNB's meter readers.
"We are investigating whether the suspects are working together with the meter readers to avoid getting caught," he said.
Between January and February of this year, the police raided five premises and confiscated 131 mining machines.
"Last year we raided 11 stores, arrested six suspects and seized 696 machines worth RM300,000.
"These operations will continue to ensure that these illegal activities are controlled," he said.
