Malaysian police seize 30 Bitcoin miners in power theft crackdown

Perak Tengah district police chief Supt Hafezul Helmi Hamzah confirmed the seizure of 30 mining machines, an internet router, a desktop switch, and coils of electrical wire during the raid. The two local men detained remain under investigation for allegedly bypassing authorized metered connections to power their equipment.

Authorities are pursuing the case under Section 427 of the Penal Code and Section 37(1) of the Electricity Supply Act 1990. These statutes are frequently invoked in Malaysia as the country grapples with widespread energy theft by illicit mining ventures, which have cost the state utility provider Tenaga Nasional Bhd over RM440 million since 2020.

Beyond financial losses, officials highlight the significant fire hazards posed by amateur electrical modifications. A recent incident in Kuala Lumpur, where a house exploded due to overloaded and tampered wiring, underscored the physical danger these operations present to residential neighborhoods. Police continue to urge the public to report suspicious activities that could indicate similar unauthorized connections.