Malaysian authorities have cracked the whip in the Manjung region where a man allegedly carried illegal bitcoin mining operations. The police arrested the suspect and confiscated equipment, including 1,720 bitcoin mining machines. The seized items totaled $840,100.
The authorities targeted 75 premises. 15 units of monitors, 22 computer CPUs, 16 keyboards, 56 modems were seized in addition to a Toyota Hilux vehicle, 44 fans, seven CCTV cameras, and a laptop.
The suspect, a 28-year-old man, is also accused of stealing electricity worth $480,000. He used the electricity for his illegal mining operations. The suspect is being held in custody for four days and being investigated under Section 379 and 427 of Malaysia’s Penal Code and the Electricity Supply Act 1990.
Mior Faridalathrash Wahid, Perak Police Chief, said the police raided 75 premises around the district. They found 30 to be carrying out illegal bitcoin mining activities and stealing electricity. The authorities are continuing with investigations to determine the period of the illegal operations. They want to find out if more persons are involved.
2021 has been a year of a crackdown on illegal bitcoin mining in Malaysia. The authorities seized about 1,069 bitcoin mining devices back in July. The devices were displayed to the public and a steamroller was used to crush them. Eight persons had been arrested and they had allegedly stolen USD 1.99 million worth of electricity.
Moreover, in another operation in George Town, four individuals were arrested and machines worth $43,800 were confiscated
