Explosion in Malaysia uncovers an illegal Bitcoin mining operation linked to power theft. Authorities investigate fire risks and warn against unregulated cryptocurrency activities.
An unexpected explosion in Malaysia led to a surprising discovery of illegal Bitcoin mining. On Tuesday, a house in Lorong Cekara Purnama, Bandar Puncak Alam, caught fire, prompting an emergency response. The explosion and smoke detection prompted a local woman to contact Sungai Buloh district police at 11:41 a.m. Subsequently, the Saujana Utama and Bestari Jaya volunteer firefighters started responding to the incident.
The officials entered the building when firefighters had controlled the fire and discovered a disturbing scene. The officials discovered multiple Bitcoin mining machines together with additional mining apparatuses inside the location. Additional investigation showed that the power supply used to run the operation had been tapped illegally. The local authorities started an investigation while requesting the public to provide extra details about the situation.
Authorities Investigate Illegal Bitcoin Mining in Malaysia
The fire initiated inside a modified electrical wiring room at Sungai Buloh where a short circuit apparently occurred according to Supt Mohd Hafiz Muhammad Nor who leads district police operations. The police together with firefighters gained entrance into the empty looking house through forced entry, shortly after noon at 4:45 p.m.
Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) staff members and police personnel performed additional site examinations. The investigation by the police and TNB staff revealed unauthorized electricity usage to power the mining equipment. Law enforcement discovered nine Bitcoin mining rigs alongside nine blower fans and a D-link router during their investigation.
The increasing occurrence of power theft cases in Bitcoin mining operations has made this practice a major issue in Malaysia. Previously, the Malaysian authority apprehended seven suspects in August 2024 for operating illegal Bitcoin mining operations. Authorities conducted distinct operations to stop cryptocurrency mining operations through power theft during which they detained both foreign individuals and Malaysians.
The recent occurrence shows how Bitcoin mining without regulations endangers operations. Electricity theft alongside dangerous electrical setups creates major fire risks and leads to unauthorized power distribution. The public should report all dubious operations to law enforcement while authorities issue repeated warnings about this conduct. Law enforcement continues to investigate all illegal mining activities while actively monitoring the situation throughout the nation.
