Illegal cryptocurrency miners in Malaysia have suffered losses of up to RM3.4 billion due to electricity theft since 2018

Odaily Planet Daily News: According to Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, Malaysia's Deputy Minister of Energy and Water Transition, illegal cryptocurrency mining activities have caused the country's power company Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) to suffer a cumulative loss of approximately 3.4 billion ringgit (approximately 777 million US dollars) in electricity resources since 2018. These illegal miners steal electricity by bypassing electricity meters, privately connecting cables, and other means to support the operation of high-power mining equipment. To combat such behavior, Malaysian authorities have strengthened law enforcement efforts. In August 2024, Perak state police used rollers to destroy 985 illegal Bitcoin mining devices worth approximately 1.98 million ringgit (approximately $450000) in the Perak Tengah area. Previously, the police arrested 7 individuals suspected of stealing electricity and mining in the Sepang area, and seized 52 mining machines and other electronic devices worth approximately 250000 ringgit. （CoinDesk）