The number of Illegal crypto mining cases – or more accurately electricity theft for crypto mining cases – was drastically higher last year compared to the year before, said Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Abd Jalil Hassan
At TRP Tech we have reported on no less than four raids involving illegal crypto mining operations since the end of last year.
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According to Bukit Aman, 570 investigation papers were opened, 528 suspects have been arrested, and equipment worth RM53 million was seized last year, all of which were linked to illegal crypto mining operations.
That is a sharp rise compared to the 20 investigation papers opened, 26 arrested, and seizures of equipment worth 1.26 million the year before.
According to police statistics, the majority of those involved were between 18 and 30 years old.
Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Perak, and Pulau Pinang recorded the highest number of cases.
The police said that these illegal crypto mining operations often hide in industrial areas where they can obfuscate their high electricity use, the noise their cooling systems make, and the heat that their operation dissipates.
Meanwhile, TNB Distribution Network head (Operations) Wan Nazmy Wan Mahmood said that 7,209 cases of electricity theft involving bitcoin mining operations have been recorded since 2018.
He explains that cryptocurrency mining itself is not an offence.
Individuals and companies who are interested in crypto mining will have to submit their application to TNB and they will be categorised under the commercial electricity tariff to carry out such activities.
