Police and electricity authorities in Thailand have launched a series of crackdowns targeting illegal cryptocurrency mining operations accused of stealing massive amounts of electricity.

Raids conducted in Chachoengsao and Surat Thani provinces led to multiple arrests and the seizure of mining hardware worth millions of baht.

How It Went Down

According to a recent report from local news media, raids occurred over the weekend in Surat Thani province, with officials searching seven commercial buildings and two residential properties in Muang district.

The investigation resulted in the arrest of two men, Nathapong and Arthit, aged 30. Authorities confiscated 111 crypto-mining machines, seven desktop computers, 10 routers, and 10 modified power meters.

The arrests were made after informants tipped off the police about deserted buildings outfitted with surveillance cameras, raising suspicions of illegal activities.

A Crime Suppression Division commander, Pol Maj Gen Montri Theskhan, revealed that Nathapong rented the commercial properties and owned the houses where the illicit operations occurred.

Investigators noted significant financial transactions of more than 40 million baht from January of the previous year to July, coupled with unusually low electricity bills, hinting at meter tampering.

Electricity Theft And Large-Scale Operations Disrupted

Authorities believe the suspects had been modifying electricity meters to reduce their recorded power consumption. The modified meters were integral to powering the “energy-intensive” mining equipment without incurring proportional electricity costs.

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Author: Samuel Edyme