According to Malaysian paper bitcoin mining operation involving 1,069 PCs. Malaysia has recently started cracking down on countrywide electricity theft used for illegal bitcoin mining operations.
The PCs were confiscated during six raids on properties near an airport in the Sarawak region. The raids were conducted in a t operation between Malaysian authorities and Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB). These suspects allegedly found a way to siphon electricity from SEB power lines to power the bitcoin mining machines, stealing nearly $2 million worth of electricity over three months.
The PCs were cleared for disposal today, which explains the video above. Why was a steam roller chosen? We will never know. Flattening a group of criminal computers with a steam roller seems like a pretty fun way to ister justice. Blowing them up with a stick of dynamite is a close second. Although one wonders why not just auction off or find a way to repurpose the PCs?
Illegal bitcoin mining isn't anything new in Malaysia. Back in March, a man was accused of stealing over nuclear power plant.
"The electricity theft for mining bitcoin activities has caused frequent power outages and in 2021, three houses were razed (because of electrical fires) due to illegal electricity supply connections," said Miri police chief A Hakemal Hawari to The Star.
Currently, the Miri police are working on ways to increase the detection of illegal wire connections for bitcoin mining activities.
"A total of six people have been successfully charged under Section 379 of the Penal Code for electricity theft and have been fined up to RM8,000 and jailed for up to eight months."
