Bitcoin Mining: TNB Lost Nearly RM30 Million In Electricity Theft In Melaka

MELAKA, Feb 5 (Bernama) -- Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) recorded losses totalling RM29.63 million last year due to electricity theft linked to illegal Bitcoin mining activities in Melaka.

State Deputy Exco for Science, Technology, Innovation and Digital Communications Datuk Mohd Noor Helmy Abdul Halem said the figure represented an increase of RM19.17 million compared with 2024, when losses stood at RM10.46 million.

“A total of 85 cases were detected last year compared with 30 cases reported in 2024, indicating that such activities are becoming increasingly active in the state,” he told reporters after an operation to cut off electricity supply at an unoccupied house allegedly being used for illegal Bitcoin mining at Taman Tambak Paya Harmoni, here today. 

On the operation, he said preliminary investigations had found that electrical cables at the premises had been concealed using curtain fabric in an attempt to evade detection by the authorities and TNB estimated losses of RM8,000 per month from the activity, which also disrupted electricity supply to three nearby residences. 

“However, no arrests were made as the house was empty at the time of the raid, which was carried out by TNB in collaboration with the Energy Commission,” said Mohd Noor Helmy, who is also the Duyong state assemblyman.

He added that this was the second such case recorded in Melaka this year, following a raid in January, involving two shop units which had caused estimated losses of RM1.6 million.

-- BERNAMA