Thai authorities have cracked down on a suspected crypto mining operation engaged in electricity theft, seizing over 650 mining devices valued at more than 200 million baht (approximately $5 million).
Acting on tips regarding unusually high electricity consumption, officials from Thailand’s Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau and the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) obtained warrants and conducted raids at two locations, as reported by the Bangkok Post.
The raid in Samut Sakhon targeted an unexpected location—a temple compound in the Ban Phaeo district—where 187 crypto mining devices were seized. Another 465 phones, computers, and tablets potentially linked to the mining operation were found in a separate warehouse in Ratchaburi.
Three individuals—Sombat Tangnawadee, Kiatkongel Tumthong, and Somwang (last name unreported)—were apprehended for managing the illegal crypto mining operations. During interrogation, all three confessed to overseeing the operations, which had been running for approximately two months.
Sombat and Somwang admitted to managing the separate locations in Samut Sakhon and Ratchaburi, respectively. They also confessed to illegally importing the mining equipment from China with the intention of selling it to crypto miners.
Investigators from the Provincial Electricity Authority found evidence of tampered electricity meters at both sites, indicating the theft of electricity amounting to an estimated 5 million baht ($135,000).
Besides selling the equipment, the suspects reportedly provided hosting services for miners’ machines, charging a monthly fee of 6,200 baht ($167), purportedly covering electricity costs.
Authorities disclosed that these locations were already under investigation before receiving complaints about the cloud mining operation.
Illegal crypto mining crackdowns are increasingly common globally. In Russia, police seized over 3,200 mining rigs from hidden data centers in Siberia earlier this month. Similarly, Malaysia uncovered three covert crypto mining operations suspected of stealing electricity, operating out of shophouses and residences.