Malaysian police have confiscated 41 cryptocurrency mining machines in a series of coordinated raids in Teluk Intan, Hilir Perak, targeting operations suspected of stealing electricity. Hilir Perak police chief Bakri Zainal Abidin reported that the first raid on the night of January 9 led to the seizure of 24 machines. Two subsequent raids in the early hours of January 10 resulted in the confiscation of an additional 17 units across three separate locations.
No arrests have been made as of the reports, with investigators continuing efforts to identify the individuals or syndicates behind the operations. Authorities are examining evidence related to property damage and the misuse of the electricity supply, both criminal offenses under Malaysian law.
While cryptocurrency mining itself is legal in Malaysia when conducted through legitimate means, the issue arises when operators bypass electricity meters or tap directly into power lines to avoid paying for the substantial energy required. Such unauthorized connections constitute theft from the national grid.
This crackdown is part of a broader pattern in Malaysia, where authorities have conducted numerous raids on illegal mining operations in recent years, sometimes publicly destroying thousands of confiscated machines as a deterrent. Officials emphasize that these illegal setups pose significant safety hazards, including the risk of electrical fires from overloaded systems and potential structural damage to buildings from the heat and weight of the equipment.
