Electricity theft cases related to illegal cryptocurrency mining operations have surged by nearly 300%, according to Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB). In a recent statement to The Star, the national utility provider revealed that the number of power theft cases linked to cryptocurrency mining jumped from 610 cases in 2018 to 2,397 in 2024.
The cases were detected through the company’s joint efforts with the Energy Commission, the Royal Malaysia Police, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, and local councils. TNB noted that these joint raids and nationwide crackdowns have played a crucial role in exposing and dismantling illegal mining setups, thereby protecting the integrity of the national power grid.
However, despite these efforts, the scale of the problem remains significant. Between January 2020 and December 2024, TNB said crypto-related electricity theft cases recorded an average of 2,303 per year.
Public complaints have also mirrored the growing scale of illicit mining activity. Over the same five-year period, TNB received an average of 1,699 complaints per year (or roughly 340 every month), highlighting a rise in public awareness and reporting.
As revealed by TNB last year, electricity theft – mostly from illegal bitcoin mining – has cost the company RM441.6 million in losses since 2020. Earlier this year, homeowners and shoplot owners in Perak reported receiving excessive bills due to unauthorised power consumption linked to their properties. In total, 60 cases were reported, with claims ranging from RM30,000 to RM1.2 million.
(Source: The Star)
