Nine men have been arrested in Malaysia over the theft of bitcoin mining machines worth over RM500,000 ($130,000), according to a report.
In a report from the Star Online, the suspects were detained in Serdang, a town located in Selangor, Malaysia on the 23rd February. Serdang OCPD Asst Comm Megat Mohammad Aminudin Megat Alias, explained:
We were acting on information obtained when the suspects attempted to sell the equipment via a website and Facebook. We managed to recover 58 machines worth more than RM500,000.
According to the report, the suspects were allegedly involved in similar incidents, including the theft of a bitcoin mining machine on the 16th February. He added:
We received four other similar reports in three areas in Serdang. We managed to solve two cases with the arrests of the suspects. As for the remaining cases, we have credible leads and the investigations are still ongoing.
Unfortunately, it seems that the theft of anything related to digital currencies is on the rise. With market prices increasing as new investors get involved, criminals and hackers are looking to the industry as the perfect place to make a profit. It’s no longer a case of stealing someone’s data, but gaining access to their crypto assets.
Last month, LiveBitcoinNews reported that armed men broke into a U.K. home and forced a bitcoin trader to transfer holdings of his digital currency. At the time, it was reported that this was the first bitcoin heist to take place in the country. Even though no one was injured, police believe that it was a targeted incident.
More recently it was reported that the first bitcoin robbery had taken place in Taiwan. Four men were arrested after they stole Twd$5 million ($170,000) from the victim’s account after luring him to the central city of Taichung. The suspects pretended to be interested in purchasing the digital currency, but proceeded to assault him and his friend. According to a statement, it was described as ‘the first domestic case of bitcoin robbery.’
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