Illegal bitcoin mining busted in Ayutthaya with free electricity use

A bitcoin mining operation illegally using free electricity worth 200,000 baht per month was recently raided in Ayutthaya. Thirty-one mining machines were discovered in a rented commercial building, leading to legal actions against the perpetrators.

Police and Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) officials executed a search warrant at a commercial building along the Asian Highway in Ayutthaya after detecting unusual electricity usage.

Upon inspection, they found the building’s lower floor locked with a metal shutter. After cutting through, they discovered electrical wiring running up to the third floor. There, police found 31 bitcoin mining machines, a computer, a large fan for cooling, and various electrical equipment. All equipment was seized.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Chotiwat commented on how the bitcoin mining operation was discovered through illegally using electricity.

“This case involves digital currency, which requires significant knowledge. The mistake they made was stealing electricity, which is illegal. They rented the building for two months, and we are investigating the import of the mining machines. This is the first incident of its kind here.”

The PEA had initially discovered the irregularities when officials conducted a routine check and found that the electricity meter was not registering usage despite the presence of operational mining machines.

The investigation revealed that the meter gears had been tampered with using a substance that prevented them from moving. The building was drawing 90 amperes across three phases, clearly indicating electricity misuse.

The Ayutthaya PEA manager revealed that their inspection showed that 24 machines were operational, with seven spares, totalling 31. The monthly electricity theft is valued at approximately 200,000 baht, with an additional 220,000 baht in fines.

The discovery of this operation arose from a landlord’s report, who rented the building to three young men claiming they needed it for storing car parts. They paid rent using cash deposits without direct account transfers.

Upon the discovery of the illegal activities, two months into the rental agreement, the landlord, 33 year old Chaipol expressed surprise at the illegal activities and urged property owners to be vigilant when renting out their spaces, reported KhaoSod.