Johor police cripple bitcoin-mining syndicate, causing TNB losses exceeding RM1.28 million

A two-day joint operation, codenamed Op Elektrik, was carried out on April 22 and 23 by Johor police's Criminal Investigation Department and TNB's Southern Region Special Engagement against Losses (SEAL) team.

Johor police have crippled a syndicate that stole electricity on a massive scale to power illegal bitcoin-mining operations, causing Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) losses exceeding RM1.28 million.

The two-day joint operation, codenamed Op Elektrik, was carried out on April 22 and 23 by Johor police's Criminal Investigation Department and TNB's Southern Region Special Engagement against Losses (SEAL) team.

It led to the arrest of three men, aged between 40 and 48, and the seizure of 87 bitcoin-mining machines valued at RM217,500.

Johor police chief Datuk M. Kumar said the syndicate had been tapping electricity illegally from residential and shop lot areas in Johor Baru, Seri Alam, Kulai, Segamat and Tangkak.

"Nine premises were raided. Besides the mining rigs, police also seized multiple laptops, mobile phones, routers and door keys believed to be connected to the illegal operations," Kumar said in a statement today.

The case is being investigated under Section 427 of the Penal Code for committing mischief causing significant financial loss, and Section 37(1) of the Electricity Supply Act 1990 for tampering with electrical installations, which carries up to five years' jail or a RM100,000 fine, or both, upon conviction.

"This is part of our commitment to aggressively clamp down on electricity theft, especially involving cryptocurrency mining activities," Kumar said.

He urged the public to report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or contact the Johor Police Hotline at 019-2792095 or the state police operations centre at 07-2212999.