Thai authorities busted a massive crypto mining operation, seizing 63 mining rigs worth 2 million baht ($60,000) in Pathum Thani province. The sneaky setup used remote-controlled operations to dodge detection while racking up a whopping 11 million baht in stolen electricity. Talk about an expensive hobby! These power-hungry miners set up shop in abandoned houses, creating serious fire hazards for nearby residents. The crackdown continues a string of similar busts across Thailand, where illegal mining operations just can't seem to keep their lights on legitimately.
Thai authorities swooped in on an illegal cryptocurrency mining operation, seizing 63 mining rigs valued at 2 million baht ($60,000) from three abandoned houses in Pathum Thani province. The bust came after local residents reported suspicious electricity usage in the area, prompting officials to launch an investigation. Talk about nosy neighbors paying off.
The sneaky miners had set up remote-controlled operations, thinking they were oh-so-clever. But their scheme to dodge electricity bills backfired spectacularly. The total damage? A whopping 11 million baht in stolen power. These aren't exactly small-time crooks we're talking about. The Central Investigation Bureau led the successful raid after gathering evidence. The losses to the Metropolitan Electricity Authority amounted to roughly 330,000 dollars.
The operation wasn't just illegal – it was dangerous. The unmonitored rigs, running 24/7 in abandoned houses, created serious fire hazards. Imagine burning down a neighborhood just to mine some crypto. Real smart. The intense computational demands required proof-of-work mining to continuously generate and verify cryptographic hashes, consuming massive amounts of electricity.
Running crypto rigs 24/7 in abandoned buildings? Great plan – if your goal is turning the neighborhood into a bonfire.
The authorities also discovered modified meters and controllers, showing just how far these thieves went to avoid detection.
This isn't Thailand's first rodeo with illegal mining operations. In January, authorities nabbed 996 Bitcoin miners in Phanat Nikhom district. November saw nine illegal farms shut down in Surat Thani province, where operators tried to dodge $300,000 in electricity costs.
And let's not forget the August incident west of Bangkok, where power outages literally led authorities to the criminals' doorstep.
While legal miners in Thailand play by the rules and pay their taxes as manufacturers, these underground operations keep popping up like mushrooms after rain. The decentralized nature of cryptocurrency mining makes catching these electricity vampires a real headache for authorities.
The Pathum Thani bust is just another chapter in Thailand's ongoing battle against illegal crypto mining. With equipment seized and operations shut down, authorities have sent a clear message: steal electricity for crypto mining, and you'll get caught. Eventually. Probably when your neighbors notice their lights flickering.
