Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) reported staggering financial losses of RM441,600,089.90. These losses are attributed to electricity theft linked to illegal bitcoin mining activities. This theft occurred between 2020 and September 2024. Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain, the Director of the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (JSJ), provided information on the matter. The data was collected during a joint operation conducted by both JSJ and TNB. The initiative, which sought to tackle electricity theft tied to cryptocurrency mining, involved 2,091 nationwide raids across five years.
Bitcoin Mining Theft Drains RM441 Million from TNB
The operations were executed as follows: 54 raids in 2020, 529 raids in 2021, 692 raids in 2022, 358 raids in 2023, and 458 raids in 2024.
“The losses from confiscated bitcoin mining machines were RM5.9 million in 2020, surging to RM140.4 million in 2021, RM124.9 million in 2022, RM67.1 million last year, and RM103.1 million as of September this year,” Mohd Shuhaily revealed at a press conference following TNB’s recent vehicle donation event at Bukit Aman.
During a discussion about fluctuating losses over the years, Mohd Shuhaily mentioned that TNB and Bukit Aman are currently scrutinizing data from 2022 and 2023. They are focusing on this data because of inconsistencies with bitcoin market trends. “The cryptocurrency market saw a downturn in those years, so we’re examining whether these losses were influenced by market conditions or operational limitations on our end,” he explained.
TNB and Police Ramp Up Operations
To support ongoing enforcement efforts, TNB presented six four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles. These vehicles will assist the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), especially the JSJ division. Their purpose is to help monitor and enforce regulations against illegal electricity usage. This donation adds to a previous contribution of nine 4WD vehicles and 25 storage containers in 2022.
“This partnership is crucial for us,” Mohd Shuhaily remarked, emphasizing the longstanding cooperation between TNB and JSJ since 2020 in combatting energy theft. The event also saw the attendance of several notable figures. Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay was present, along with TNB’s Senior General Manager Zahari Dollah. Additionally, Royal Malaysian Police Secretary Datuk Kamaruzaman Abdullah attended the event.
The substantial financial losses underscore the increasing impact of illegal bitcoin mining operations on public utility resources. TNB and law enforcement are committed to reinforcing measures to curb electricity abuse for cryptocurrency mining. They aim to prevent further financial damages.
