Johor Bahru: Three men, aged between 40 and 48, have been apprehended for stealing electricity to power bitcoin mining operations, which resulted in financial damages amounting to RM1.28 million.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Johor police chief Datuk M Kumar stated that the suspects were part of a syndicate and were detained during an operation conducted in collaboration with Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) on April 22 and 23. The authorities confiscated 87 Bitcoin mining rigs valued at RM217,500 during nine raids across locations in Johor Bahru, Seri Alam, Kulai, Segamat, and Tangkak.

Various mobile phones, laptops, routers, and several keys were also seized during the operation. The group allegedly targeted residential areas and shoplots as their operational sites. The illegal electricity usage led to a reported loss of RM1,289,371.86 for TNB. The incident is currently being investigated under Section 427 of the Penal Code and Section 37(1) of the Electricity Supply Act 1990.