Illegal Bitcoin Mining Operation Discovered by Explosion in Malaysia

An ordinary Tuesday in a town near Kuala Lampur, Malaysia, was disrupted by an unexpected explosion, unveiling a covert Bitcoin mining operation hidden within an empty house. The incident occurred along Lorong Cekara Purnama, located in Bandar Puncak Alam, transforming a quiet neighborhood into the scene of a disaster.

The day began with a distress call from a local woman reporting smoke and an explosion to the Sungai Buloh district police. Responding swiftly, 14 volunteer firefighters rushed to the scene. Upon arrival, they found themselves confronting not just a fire, but a mystery wrapped in smoke and legal complications.

Investigation Unveils Illicit Bitcoin Mining

Once the flames were extinguished, a collaborative team from both the police and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) entered the house for a closer inspection. What they discovered was far from ordinary; the house had been converted into an illegal Bitcoin mining operation. The room where the fire originated was littered with modified electrical circuits, which had evidently short-circuited, leading to the explosion.

The investigators found nine Bitcoin mining rigs, nine blower fans, and a D-link router, all powered by illegally siphoned electricity. This setup not only endangered the local community due to the risk of fire but also represented a significant theft of utility resources.

Sungai Buloh district police chief, Supt Mohd Hafiz Muhammad Nor, confirmed that an investigation has been initiated under Section 427 of the Penal Code for mischief causing damage to property, and Section 37(1) of the Electricity Supply Act 1990 for unauthorized use of electricity.

The authorities are now appealing to the public for assistance. Anyone with information that could aid the investigation is encouraged to reach out to the nearest police station or contact Assistant Investigating Officer Mohamad Nurizwan Hafiz Abd Halim directly.