Mae Sot: Cyber police launched the 'Dawn at Mae Sot' operation to destroy an illegal bitcoin mine that was using electricity unlawfully, resulting in over 4 million baht in damages.
According to Thai News Agency, cyber police utilized a search warrant from the Mae Sot Provincial Court to investigate six significant target areas in Mae Sot District, including a commercial building in the Don Chai community on Inthakhiri Road. They discovered 12 bitcoin mining machines that were illegally using electricity by altering the meter to reduce the electricity bill, causing substantial financial losses to the electricity authority. Earlier, officers noticed a group using a commercial building in Mae Sot District to mine bitcoins illicitly. Coordination with the Provincial Electricity Authority led to a suspension of electricity usage, but unusual nighttime activity, indicated by lights in the commercial building, suggested illegal electricity usage for bitcoin mining.
Officials are currently pursuing those responsible for the illegal electricity usage linked to bitcoin mining. The individuals face prosecution under charges related to concealing or handling property linked to an offense under Section 242, which carries a penalty of up to 5 years in prison, a fine of four times the property's value including tax, or both.