PUTRAJAYA: The masterminds behind a multimillion ringgit bitcoin mining syndicate are among 18 individuals arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), following a three-year sting operation codenamed Op Power. MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the 18 individuals arrested are all Malaysian males aged between 30 and 60.

       “We confiscated 1,157 bitcoin (mining) machines worth RM2.3mil in total.

       “A total of RM4.5mil was frozen from bank accounts linked to 94 individuals and 29 companies.

       “The MACC also seized RM281,180 in cash, RM82,000 in ewallet balances and some US$25,893.46 worth of cryptocurrencies.

       “Five vehicles, including a BMW, Toyota Vellfire and an Audi, have also been seized,” said Azam at a press conference at the MACC headquarters here.

       Azam added that the MACC is looking to arrest another five individuals with links to the case, but this has been put on hold as the suspects have currently tested Covid-19 positive.

       The Star on Sunday and Monday reported on a sting operation that began three years ago during which MACC officers posing as TNB meter readers were paid RM2.4mil in bribes.

       Tools of the trade: (From left) Energy Commission CEO Abdul Razib Dawood, Azam and Baharin looking at the seized computer hardware at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya. — SAMUEL ONG/The Star

       Azam said the syndicate operators offered between RM3,000 and RM300,000 to TNB officers to help cover up their operations.

       The syndicate was found to have used special devices to manipulate power usage to ensure that their operations used as little electricity as possible.

       Azam said that while cryptocurrency mining is not illegal, power theft is a crime.

       TNB chief executive officer Datuk Baharin Din, who was also present at the press conference, said the syndicate used sophisticated methods for their illicit operations.

       “The quantum of the power volume that this syndicate has stolen is very large, and it was done continuously for 24 hours and 365 days. This went on for over three years.

       “The technique the syndicate used to tamper with the power usage is quite sophisticated.

       “You come across small households that try to steal power, but these people go way beyond that.

       “To do what they did, you have to be very competent.

       “So we are very thankful to the MACC for their big help in this operation and because of them, we managed to stop this syndicate,” said Baharin.