According to Cryptoslate, officials from Thailand's Central Bureau of Investigation (CIB) seized 63 illegal cryptocurrency mining machines last Friday, worth approximately 2 million Thai baht ($60000), found in three abandoned houses in Pathum Thani province. Local residents complained that unidentified individuals were stealing electricity from power poles and transformers in the area, and officials subsequently launched a raid. Locals suspect that stolen electricity was used for cryptocurrency mining operations hidden in abandoned buildings. Investigators estimate that the electricity stolen from these three houses due to cryptocurrency mining has caused an estimated loss of over 11 million Thai baht (327000 US dollars) to the power bureau.
Police officials said that in addition to mining equipment, they also seized three cryptocurrency mining controllers, three routers, three Internet signal enhancers, three modified electricity meters, a desktop computer, a laptop computer and two bank passbooks. As the mining operation is remotely controlled, no one has been arrested. However, officials have found evidence that the illegal operation is related to a luxury mansion in Ram Indra Soi 65, Khan Na Yao district, Bangkok. CIB officials have applied for a search warrant to conduct a raid on the relevant residences and locate the gang leader and other accomplices. The authorities pointed out that in addition to causing damage to the power sector, illegal mining equipment also poses significant fire hazards. This is because these tasks consume a huge amount of electricity but are unattended.
