Hong Kong police have arrested two technicians accused of secretly powering cryptocurrency mining machines from care homes for the disabled. Authorities say the men used access during renovation work to install eight devices hidden in suspended ceilings across two office spaces, where the rigs ran around the clock.
Officials estimate the illicit operation inflated electricity bills by as much as $1,153 (HK$9,000) per month for the affected facilities. The scheme came to light after repeated internet slowdowns prompted IT staff to investigate. Suspended-ceiling panels revealed unauthorised equipment; similar devices were later found in a second home in Sau Mau Ping.
Police detained the two suspects, aged 32 and 33, in Mong Kok and Sham Shui Po and charged them with “abstracting electricity.” Investigators currently believe the pair acted alone rather than as part of a larger syndicate. Under Hong Kong’s Theft Ordinance, illegal use of electricity can carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
Inspector Ng Tsz-wing of Sham Shui Po’s technology and financial crime squad warned organisations to closely monitor contractors during renovations and to check utility bills for unexplained spikes. “The public should also pay more attention to electricity bills or network usage and make relevant checks and notify police in case they find some suspicious circumstances,” he said.
Industry voices say these cases highlight wider risks. Shanon Squires, Chief Mining Officer at Compass Mining, called illegal operations both a power-theft and a safety hazard, noting such activity undermines property rights and shifts costs to victims. Squires also observed the seized rigs “do not appear to be Bitcoin miners,” suggesting smaller-scale altcoin mining may be a common target for covert installations.
This incident fits a global pattern: police have uncovered similar illicit farms in Thailand, the UK and Central Asia, while research by Digiconomist estimates Bitcoin mining’s annual carbon footprint exceeds 105 million tonnes of CO2. Beyond legal exposure, illegal mining raises safety, financial and environmental concerns for property owners and operators.
Risk note: Organisations should treat unexpected bill increases and network issues as potential security incidents; concealment can allow rigs to run for months, amplifying costs and hazards.
Source: Decrypt. Read the original coverage for full details.
