illegal mining

Policy Regula

2026-09-30 11:25:46

Perak police raid illegal Bitcoin mining site in Seri Iskandar, arrest two men

Police in central Perak, working with Malaysia’s national utility Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), raided an illegal cryptocurrency mining site in Seri Iskandar and arrested two local men, according to The Star, as cited by ChainCatcher. Investigators said the suspects were believed to have tapped electricity lines illegally to power Bitcoin mining machines. During the operation, authorities seized 30 Bitcoin mining rigs, along with a router, a desktop switch and a roll of electrical wire. The case is being investigated under Section 427 of the Penal Code and Section 37(1) of the Electricity Supply Act 1990. Police said power theft tied to crypto mining is not only unlawful, but can also inflict major losses on the electricity provider and create a fire hazard.

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Paraguay

2026-09-20 03:21:49

Paraguay seizes 35 mining rigs in two illegal crypto mining raids in Alto Paraná

Authorities in Paraguay dismantled two illegal cryptocurrency mining operations in Alto Paraná within a single week, seizing a total of 35 mining machines. In the Sept. 17 raid, officials found a mining site drawing electricity through an unmetered connection. That operation led to the seizure of 10 ASIC miners, while associated charges and fines were reported at about $30,000. A separate enforcement action on Sept. 12 resulted in the confiscation of another 25 mining machines. Separately, Paraguay’s Chamber of Deputies has passed a resolution requesting that the national power authority provide a report on electricity consumption by the crypto mining sector, the power rates applied to the industry, and the current state of regulatory oversight. The developments point to tighter scrutiny of mining-related power use in the country, particularly in Alto Paraná, where enforcement actions have now targeted multiple unauthorized facilities in a short span of time.

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Brazil

2026-08-02 03:23:04

Brazil police seize illegal Bitcoin mining site with 15 ASIC rigs and 3 servers

Brazilian police uncovered a hidden illegal Bitcoin mining operation at a scrap recycling yard during a routine inspection tied to metal theft and fencing, according to Odaily. Officers seized about 15 ASIC mining machines and three servers, with the equipment valued at more than 200,000 Brazilian reais, or roughly $39,400. Bitcoin mining itself is not illegal in Brazil, but the case centers on electricity theft. Local utility Cemig estimated losses of around 60,000 reais per month, equivalent to about $11,800, from unauthorized power use linked to the mining setup. A 37-year-old employee at the recycling yard was arrested on the spot after failing to explain where the equipment came from and not providing invoices. Police said the employee was detained on theft and fencing charges. Authorities also opened a case against a 31-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman responsible for the business, and said they are tracing where the mined cryptocurrency was sent.

1910

Bitcoin

2026-08-02 03:22:54

Brazil police uncover illegal bitcoin mining site at scrap yard

Brazilian police found a hidden illegal Bitcoin mining operation at a scrap recycling yard during a routine inspection tied to stolen scrap metal and fencing, according to Livecoins. Officers seized about 15 ASIC miners and three servers, with the equipment valued at more than 200,000 Brazilian reais, or roughly $39,400. While Bitcoin mining itself is legal in Brazil, authorities said the setup was drawing power illegally. Local utility Cemig estimated monthly losses at around 60,000 reais, or about $11,800. A 37-year-old employee at the recycling yard was arrested at the scene on theft and receiving stolen goods charges after failing to explain the origin of the machines and not providing invoices. Police also opened a case against a 31-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman listed as responsible for the business. Authorities said they are now tracing where the mined cryptocurrency went.

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Malaysia

2026-07-30 22:08:31

Malaysia police raid illegal Bitcoin mining sites in Johor, seize 71 machines

Police in Johor, Malaysia, raided four rental houses on July 22 and 23, seizing 71 Bitcoin mining machines and arresting three people, according to Techub News, which cited DW. Authorities said the group bypassed electricity meters to steal power, causing losses estimated at about $16,600. The seized machines were said to generate roughly $17,200 to $21,500 in monthly revenue. Data from Malaysia’s Energy Ministry shows the scale of power theft tied to illegal crypto mining has risen sharply in recent years. Cases increased from 610 in 2018 to 2,397 in 2024. Between 2020 and 2025, the national power company identified nearly 14,000 related sites, with cumulative losses reaching about 1.1 billion euros. The ministry said such activity poses a serious threat to public safety and the electricity system.

2020

Malaysia

2026-07-30 17:49:05

Malaysia police arrest two illegal mining suspects, seize 73 Bitcoin rigs

Police in Malaysia arrested two men and seized 73 Bitcoin mining machines during a raid in Tronoh on Tuesday night, according to Techub. The operation, called “Op Elektrik,” involved searches at three properties. The suspects were identified only by age, 40 and 52. An assistant commissioner from the Batu Gajah district police said a technical inspection by the national power utility confirmed that the mining setup had been drawing electricity through illegal connections. Police said the operation was run from two abandoned houses and one unoccupied residence, with the machines connected directly to unauthorized power lines instead of legal meter connections. The two suspects have been remanded for three days as the investigation continues. Authorities said the case will be handled under Section 427 of Malaysia’s Penal Code, covering property damage and electricity theft, and Section 37(1) of the Electricity Supply Act 1990, which covers interference with electrical installations. Techub, citing crypto.news, said Malaysian authorities have continued to crack down on similar power-theft mining operations in multiple areas recently.

1980

Russia

2026-07-02 15:00:14

Russia Escalates Crypto Mining Crackdown: Up to 2 Years Forced Labor for Unregistered Miners

Russia’s Ministry of Justice has proposed amendments to the Criminal Code reclassifying illegal crypto mining as a criminal offense, with penalties including fines up to 1.5 million rubles and forced labor for up to two years for individuals. The move comes after widespread noncompliance with the 2024 legalization framework, where only 30% of miners registered. Large-scale operations could face up to five years of forced labor. The draft is open for public consultation.

550

Thailand

2026-06-23 14:01:30

Thailand Expands Probe into Gray Chinese Capital Network Involved in Illegal Crypto Mining and $300M Money Laundering

Thailand's Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has widened its inquiry into a 'gray Chinese capital' network allegedly using illegal crypto mining to launder money from phone scams and online gambling, with annual proceeds exceeding 30 billion Thai baht ($300 million). Authorities have seized 6,390 mining rigs and issued arrest warrants for eight individuals, including four Chinese financiers.

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