Senior Thai Electricity Officials Caught in Illegal Crypto Mining Scandal

Thailand’s special investigation force (DSI) has exposed four senior officials from the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) for allegedly abusing their authority to operate an illegal Bitcoin mining syndicate.

Thousands of illegal mining rigs were confiscated from an assistant PEA governor, with cash deposits worth 19 million baht ($612.9K).

The Bangkok Post reported Tuesday that DSI raided three houses, seizing mining equipment, cash, laptops, phones and bank passbooks.

“Operation Copperhead” – Wider Crackdown on Illegal Bitcoin Mining Operations

The raids conducted by the DSI were a part of “operation copperhead,” launched in December 2025, said Police Maj General Rutthapon Naowarat.

The operation targets criminal networks operating in Thailand, focusing on money laundering and seizing illegal assets.

On January 19, the DSI officials seized 3,642 crypto mining rigs, discovering evidence linking them to financiers and state officials.

The accused PEA officials include an assistant governor, a regional-level deputy manager, a technician and a service division employee who retired in 2025.

Thorough searches were carried out in Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Sakhon provinces, the report noted.

Additionally, the investigators found that the accused PEA officials used their authority to arrange warehousing, facilitating electricity supply and transformer access for the mining hub. They reportedly accepted monthly kickbacks of up to 400,000 baht.

“Legal action would be taken against all offenders without exception, regardless of rank or position,” said Pol Capt Khemachart Prakaihongmanee, director of the DSI’s Technology and Cyber Crime Bureau. “The case would be expedited and forwarded to the National Anti-Corruption Commission for further action.”

Thailand Tightens Crypto Oversight, Keeps Illegal Operations at Check

The nation has already been tightening oversight on digital assets, ordering a broad crackdown on ‘grey money’ – funds that move through legal-looking channels but often trace back to criminal syndicates and illicit activities.

Besides, in January 2025, the PEA uncovered a Bitcoin mining farm in Chonburi for tampering with power meters to steal electricity. About 996 mining rigs were seized in the crackdown.

However, the issue of illegal Bitcoin mining is not confined to Thailand. It is part of a broader global issue.

For instance, Russia saw “millions of dollars per year” in electricity and lost taxes tied to crypto mining last year. As a result, the nation’s Justice Ministry proposed prison sentences up to 5 years and fines reaching 2.5 million rubles for unregistered crypto mining operations.