In Hong Kong, police have arrested two men accused of installing mining rigs in elderly care facilities. The rigs were hidden in ceilings, leading to inflated electricity bills.
The Electricity Theft Scheme
The scheme unraveled after IT staff at one center reported sluggish internet speeds. Investigators soon discovered concealed devices drawing both bandwidth and electricity. In total, eight rigs were uncovered across two facilities in Sham Shui Po and Kwun Tong, generating an extra HK$17,000 ($2,180) in monthly power bills.
The suspects, both in their early thirties and employed by a renovation contractor, were detained on September 5. Authorities believe the pair acted on their own, taking advantage of access during building work to install the miners.
A Warning for Institutions
Hong Kong police urged organizations to be alert to sudden spikes in power consumption or unexplained network slowdowns, especially when outside contractors are involved. Inspector Ng Tsz-wing stressed that vigilance is key: unusual utility charges should be investigated promptly, as crypto mining operations are increasingly being hidden in offices, schools, and even homes for the elderly.
A Global Pattern of Theft
The Hong Kong arrests are not an isolated case. Across the globe, authorities are reporting similar crackdowns. Thai police recently seized more than 60 illegal rigs siphoning power from utility poles, while UK officers in Bradford uncovered a mining farm wired directly into the grid. In Tajikistan, stolen electricity for mining has already cost the country over $3.5 million this year.
Industry figures say the problem goes beyond financial theft. Shanon Squires of Compass Mining argued that unauthorized operations undermine the principles many Bitcoin advocates defend: “It’s taking property without consent and leaving the victims with the bill.”
The issue of illegal electricity mining is becoming increasingly important in both Hong Kong and beyond. As economic difficulties grow for small miners, the fight against electronic theft remains a critical focus for law enforcement and organizations.
