Malaysia arrests two over illegal Bitcoin mining operation, seizes 73 rigs

Malaysian police have dismantled an illegal Bitcoin mining operation and arrested two men after seizing 73 mining machines that investigators say were powered through stolen electricity. Summary Malaysian police arrested two men and seized 73 Bitcoin mining machines during raids on three properties in Tronoh. Investigators said the mining operation used stolen electricity through illegal power connections confirmed by TNB inspections. The latest crackdown follows earlier Bitcoin mining raids in Terengganu and Kuala Lumpur linked to electricity theft across Malaysia. According to a statement from Batu Gajah district police chief Assistant Commissioner Md Noor Aehawan Mohammad, officers carried out coordinated raids at three properties in Tronoh on Tuesday night under Op Elektrik, uncovering what investigators described as illegal Bitcoin mining activities supported by unauthorized electricity connections. The operation began at about 9:02 p.m. and involved personnel from the district Criminal Investigation Department together with the Technical Unit of Malaysia’s national electricity provider, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), also known as the SEAL Team. Police detained two local men, ...