A police photo shows the cryptocurrency mining machines seized from one of the premises.
KUCHING (May 20): Police and Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) yesterday busted two cryptocurrency miners believed to be stealing electricity worth over RM1.4 million.
Padawan police district chief Supt Abang Zainal Abidin Abang Ahmad said the first raid was conducted at a premises in Lee Ling Height, Jalan Penrissen at 10.30am.
“At this premises, police found 70 mining machines, a computer and an internet router worth about RM45,000,” said Abang Zainal in a statement today.
He said the premises was shuttered and the raiding team had to enter by force.
Investigations by SEB technicians showed that the electrical supply to all of the mining machines were believed to be illegally connected.
“It is believed that the premises has been operating for the last 36 months and was stealing around RM1 million worth of electricity,” said Abang Zainal.
In the second raid, police made their way to a premises at the Kuching Out Ring Road, Siburan around 1pm, where they also forced their way inside.
Investigations also showed that the premises was allegedly stealing electricity to power 66 cryptocurrency mining machines.
“Also seized was a laptop and an internet modem worth about RM42,000,” said Abang Zainal.
Investigations by technicians revealed that the premises had also been operating over the last six months and had stolen about RM432,000 worth of electricity.
He added efforts are underway to locate the owners of both premises.
The case is being investigated under Section 379 and Section 427 of the Penal Code.