Bitcoin miners indicted for stealing power worth NT$77M

TAICHUNG (TVBS News) — The Taichung District Prosecutors Office (TDPO) announced on Thursday (Nov. 16) its decision to indict a Bitcoin mining operations group for aggravated theft. The group is accused of stealing 1.7 million kilowatt-hours of electricity from Taipower, a state-owned enterprise, over a year, resulting in a loss of nearly NT＄77 million.

The Criminal Investigation Bureau's crime prevention division in central Taiwan conducted five rounds of investigations, uncovering eight sites where electricity was being stolen by the group, led by an individual surnamed Huang, from March to September 2023.

During the raids, authorities confiscated stolen electricity equipment and Bitcoin mining machines, with illicit gains exceeding NT＄80 million. The TDPO's thorough investigation identified key individuals involved, including the site manager, the financier, and those responsible for the setup of the mining operations.

Two miners, identified as Cheng, 50, and Su, 48, were found to have chosen sites where the electrical wiring was nearly melting due to constant high-temperature operation. The TDPO highlighted the disregard for public safety, noting that a hotpot restaurant and an after-school program were located directly above and below the mining sites.

The TDPO described the actions of the accused as showing a malicious attitude. Consequently, the office is advocating for a stringent sentence.

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