Thai Police Crack Down on Massive Cryptocurrency Mining Operation in Samut Sakhon and Ratchaburi

Thai police have made a significant bust in the world of cryptocurrency mining, apprehending multiple individuals and seizing over 650 mining devices valued at over 200 million baht. The operation, which took place in Samut Sakhon and Ratchaburi, was the result of an investigation into suspected electricity theft.

Officers from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) and Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) officials worked together to target locations with unusually high power usage. Their efforts paid off when they discovered 187 mining devices at a temple in Samut Sakhon and a further 465 devices at a warehouse in Ratchaburi.

During the operation, officials found evidence that the electricity meters at both locations had been tampered with, resulting in an estimated 5 million baht in unpaid electricity theft. Three men, including Sombat Tangnawadee and Kiatkongel Tumthong, were detained for questioning. They confessed to running the mining sites, which had been operational for around two months.

According to their statements, the men had imported the equipment illegally from China and sold it to cryptocurrency miners. They also offered to house the devices for the miners, charging a monthly fee that included electricity costs.

Authorities had been monitoring the sites prior to receiving complaints about the operations. Cryptocurrency mining devices can consume a significant amount of electricity, with costs reaching up to 9,000 baht per month. There has been a rise in reports of investment schemes offering discounted rates on mining devices, highlighting the need for vigilance in the cryptocurrency industry.