Illegal crypto mining at four Miri homes causes RM22,200 monthly losses

KUCHING (Feb 12): Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) has uncovered four new cases of electricity theft linked to cryptocurrency mining at residential properties in Miri.

In a statement, SEB said three cases were detected at the Vista Perdana residential area, while a fourth was discovered along Jalan Miri-Bintulu during operations conducted by its operations arm, Syarikat Sesco Berhad (Sesco).

Following a public tip-off, an inspection of a single-storey terrace house in Vista Perdana revealed direct tapping cables connected to the mains, supplying electricity to 10 cryptocurrency mining servers without proper metering.

Routine meter inspections in the same area later uncovered two additional cases at separate terrace houses using similar illegal connections to power 25 mining servers.

At a double-storey detached house along Jalan Miri-Bintulu, inspectors discovered concealed direct tapping cables above the ceiling supplying electricity to three mining servers.

All illegal connections and equipment were dismantled and seized as evidence.

SEB estimates monthly losses from the four premises at about RM22,200 due to unrecorded electricity consumption.

“Police reports have been lodged, and investigations are ongoing under Section 33(5) of the Electricity Ordinance. Offenders may face fines of up to RM200,000 and/or imprisonment of up to five years if convicted,” SEB said.

SEB warned that cryptocurrency mining consumes high amounts of electricity, and unauthorised connections pose serious risks, including fire hazards, electrocution, damage to electrical infrastructure, and potential disruption to neighbouring power supply.

The utility company said it is working closely with enforcement agencies and the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication to curb electricity theft, while continuing public education initiatives to raise awareness of the dangers and legal consequences of such activities.

Property owners are also advised to monitor their premises and ensure electricity accounts are properly transferred to tenants to avoid being linked to unlawful activities.