Recently, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) ran a joint operation called Ops Bitcoin where they found 94 premises located in Selangor and Perak that were violating Section 37 of the Electricity Supply Act 1990.
Essentially, crypto mining syndicates were stealing electricity to maximise profit.
For the operation, TNB deployed their Special Engagement Against Losses (SEAL) team with thermal drones to detect heat displaced by the blowers installed to keep crypto mining machines working at optimum temperature.
During the operation they also found that syndicates have installed heavy duty security doors and CCTV cameras to keep the authorities out of their facilities.
One of the strategies used during Ops Bitcoin was to to cut the power to the suspected premises and have PDRM arrest syndicate technicians while they work to restore power.
According to a Harian Metro report, syndicates have resorted to harassing, taunting, and physically harming TNB staff in retaliation.
There was even an incident in Ipoh where a syndicate informant, followed and spied on TNB staff while they were having raid briefings.
TNB’s Head of Strategic Business Units (SBU Meter), Kamarul Azam Abu Kassim, says TNB members are currently facing the same risk as any other enforcement teams due to the growing crypto currency syndicate activities in the country.
READ MORE: Police Busted The Largest Illegal Crypto Mining Operation In Perak
READ MORE: Crypto Miner In Kuching Busted For Stealing Electricity
