Operation Crypto Crack : DSI raid on Kanchanaburi Bitcoin mine uncovers 300+ mining rigs operating on stolen electricity, costing the state over 100 million baht annually

published: 10/9/2024 6:47:42 PM updated: 10/10/2024 6:06:47 PM 652 views

Operation Crypto Crack

On Wednesday, October 9, 2024, Police Major Yutthana Praedam, Acting Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), along with Police Major Worranan Srilum, Director of the Bureau of Illegal Financial Business and DSI spokesperson, Police Captain Khemachart Prakaihongmanee, Director of the Technology and Cyber Crime Bureau, and Mr. Thana Chokphrasombat, Assistant Governor of the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) Area 3 (Central), accompanied by officers from the DSI and the PEA of Kanchanaburi, conducted a raid on commercial buildings in Tha Muang District, Kanchanaburi Province. These buildings were suspected of stealing electricity to operate cryptocurrency mining farms across 13 locations, causing an estimated annual loss of over 100 million baht in state revenue.

This case arose from a complaint submitted to the DSI by PEA Area 3 (Central), regarding the illegal establishment of cryptocurrency mining farms, particularly Bitcoin. The PEA requested legal actions under the Special Case Investigation Act, B.E. 2547 (2004). Police Major Yutthana Praedam, Acting Director-General of the DSI, subsequently assigned the Technology and Cyber Crime Bureau to investigate the matter. The investigation revealed that a network of offenders, who rented houses and commercial buildings in over 13 locations across Kanchanaburi Province, imported equipment from abroad and stole electricity, causing significant damage to the PEA and threatening the country's economic stability. As a result, a search warrant was obtained, leading to a raid that uncovered 300 cryptocurrency mining machines and led to the detention of Mr. Kritsada (surname withheld), who confessed to being the owner and administrator of the mining farm. He was then handed over to Tha Muang Police Station for further legal proceedings.

Mr. Thana, the Assistant Governor of the PEA, stated that Bitcoin mining consumes substantial amounts of electricity, comparable to the consumption of industrial factories. The offenders, however, manipulated the electricity meters using electronic devices to record lower usage than actual consumption. Furthermore, a review of the electricity payment records of the first targeted house, which had 12 mining machines with a capacity of 3.6 kilowatts each, revealed that the aforementioned network was paying only 100 - 400 baht per month for electricity, while the actual cost, calculated based on the power consumption of the equipment, should be around 150,000 baht. This discrepancy resulted in substantial revenue loss for the PEA, impacting its contribution to state revenue. The PEA then coordinated with the DSI to suppress these illegal activities. In this case, Police Major Yutthana stated that this crime not only exploits other electricity consumers but also affects the PEA's contribution to state revenue, which supports national development. The act is also classified as theft and theft by night under Sections 334 and 335(1) of the Penal Code, with the possibility of additional related charges. If the offenses fall under the DSI's authority, according to the Special Case Investigation Act, B.E. 2547 (2004), the case will be treated as a special case.

The DSI urges commercial building owners and residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities. In cases of potential collusion with PEA officials, the DSI's Technology and Cyber Crime Bureau will expedite legal action against those involved to secure the nation's economic stability.