Thailand Cracks Down on Massive Bitcoin Power Theft Ring

Thailand has launched a major crackdown on illegal cryptocurrency operations, targeting a massive Bitcoin power theft ring that stole over 280 million baht in public electricity. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul led a press conference detailing the raid, which was spearheaded by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and involved seven hidden locations across the country.

The operation, known as 'Operation Silent Volt', uncovered a web of illegal power usage that shocked officials. Authorities seized 1,900 illegal Bitcoin mining machines during the coordinated raids, with an estimated value of 200 million baht. Investigators found links to transnational crime groups and corrupt government officials.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Khemachat Prakaihongmani noted that the initial tip-off for this massive operation came back in 2022. The DSI also discovered the largest illegally modified electrical transformer ever found during the raids.