Cyber Police Operation “Dawn in Mae Sot” Dismantles Illegal Bitcoin Mining Operation

[Georgealbert]

 

Pictures courtesy of CCIB

 

In a significant operation dubbed “Dawn in Mae Sot,” Thai cyber police have successfully dismantled an illegal Bitcoin mining operation in the Mae Sot district of Tak province, which was found to be illegally using electricity and causing lost costs, exceeding 4 million baht. In addition to the mining operation, police seized a substantial cache of illegal firearms and ammunition.

 

The operation, led by Police Major General Tri Rong Phiwphan, Commander of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), and his team, targeted six locations in Mae Sot following an investigation into the illegal use of electricity and firearm violations. The investigation began when authorities uncovered that a commercial building was being used for unauthorised Bitcoin mining activities. This building, located in the Don Chai community of Mae Sot, had been previously reported as disconnected from the electricity supply. However, ongoing suspicious activity in the building led to the discovery that electricity was still being used unlawfully.

 

Further investigations revealed that the building had been modified to bypass electricity meters, resulting in substantial losses to the local electricity provider. In addition to Bitcoin mining equipment, police also found several firearms, including handguns, shotguns, and homemade weapons, as well as large quantities of ammunition.

 

The raid, carried out in the early hours of 13 February, led to the following key findings across six locations:

 

1. Bitcoin Mining Facility: 12 Bitcoin mining machines were discovered, along with evidence of electricity theft amounting to damages of over 4 million baht.

2. Firearms Seizures: A variety of illegal firearms were seized, including a 9mm handgun, a shotgun, and a homemade Thai-made rifle, alongside large amounts of ammunition.

3. Additional Finds: At other locations, police confiscated items such as e-cigarettes, loan agreements, and mobile phones.

 

 

The authorities also collaborated with the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), the Provincial Electricity Authority, and local military personnel to examine a suspicious communication tower hidden in a rubber plantation near the Moei River. The tower had been illegally transmitting signals, with no permissions from the authorities, and was believed to be used for cross-border communication to facilitate criminal activity, including supporting illegal Myanmar-based call centre scams. The signal panels were removed before the raid, and investigations into the individuals behind the operation are ongoing.

 

Police have confirmed that charges will be brought against those involved in the illegal Bitcoin mining operation and electricity theft. Offenders face penalties under Section 242 of the Criminal Code, which carries a prison sentence of up to five years or a fine up to four times the value of the stolen goods, or both. Authorities are also expanding their investigation to uncover further details about the illegal communication network and its links to transnational criminal activities.

 

-- 2025-02-14