POLICE have busted a Bitcoin mining syndicate allegedly operating from vacant shoplots after raiding four premises in Perak and seizing 168 mining machines along with computer equipment and networking devices.
Perak police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said three of the premises were in Sungai Siput, while another was in Perak Tengah.
He said police detected suspected illegal electricity connections being used to power the Bitcoin mining operations during raids conducted on Monday.
“In Sungai Siput, raids were conducted at Sungai Siput Parade, Taman SS2 Perdana and Taman Alamanda, where we detected activities involving the theft of electricity supplies for Bitcoin mining.
“During the raids, 132 Bitcoin mining machines, two laptops and four routers were seized,” he told a press conference at the Sungai Siput District Police Headquarters today.
A 39-year-old man who claimed to be a caretaker of the premises was detained during the raid at Taman Alamanda.
“Initial questioning found that the suspect, who has eight previous criminal records, was unaware of the Bitcoin mining activities being carried out at the premises.
“However, further investigations are still being conducted to identify the owner of the mining machines, those involved, and how the electricity supply was obtained and used,” he said.
Police also conducted a follow-up operation at a premises in Seri Iskandar after receiving information about the suspected illegal use of electricity and Bitcoin mining activities.
Mohd Alwi said 36 Bitcoin mining machines, a router, a desktop switch and a roll of cut electrical cable were found on the first floor of the premises.
“Initial inspection found that the premises did not have an electricity meter supplied by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), but was instead believed to be using an illegal electricity connection.
“No arrests have been made so far and investigations are ongoing to identify the individuals and parties involved,” he said.
The investigations into all the cases are being conducted under Section 427 of the Penal Code and Section 37(1) of the Electricity Supply Act 1990.
This version makes the 168 machines and alleged electricity theft the immediate news hook, while leaving the investigation into the syndicate’s identity open. - September 2, 2026
