Thai law enforcement has dismantled a series of illegal cryptocurrency mining operations valued at over 300 million baht ($8.6 million), which were allegedly financing extensive transnational fraud networks. The crackdown, executed across multiple provinces, targeted facilities that were illicitly siphoning electricity, placing significant strain on the national power infrastructure.
Authorities reported that the proceeds from these mining activities were funneled to support online scam call centers operated by Chinese-led criminal syndicates. These networks are implicated in defrauding victims across the region through sophisticated investment and impersonation schemes. The seizure included thousands of high-performance mining units and related equipment.
This enforcement action underscores a broader regional trend, as Southeast Asian nations intensify efforts to combat cybercrime and protect critical infrastructure. The illegal diversion of power for large-scale digital asset mining not only represents substantial financial loss for state utilities but also poses fire hazards and destabilizes local power grids. Investigations into the financial flows and the broader network of individuals involved remain ongoing.
