Michaela
Two technicians in Hong Kong have been arrested for allegedly siphoning electricity from care homes for the disabled to run unauthorized crypto mining operations, racking up bills of around HK$9,000 (approximately $1,156) higher than normal.
Key points:
- Two Hong Kong technicians were arrested for illegally using electricity from care homes to power eight crypto mining machines, causing bills to spike by around HK$9,000 ($1,156).
- The miners were hidden in suspended ceilings across two care home offices, running 24/7 and slowing down internet performance, with authorities confirming the technicians acted independently of their engineering firm.
- High electricity consumption is typical of crypto mining, prompting authorities to warn organizations to monitor utility and network usage to prevent unauthorized operations.
According to the South China Morning Post, the two technicians allegedly installed eight crypto mining machines in the suspended ceilings of two care home offices, running them around the clock using the facilities’ electricity and internet. The scheme came to light after staff noticed unusually high power bills and sluggish internet performance.
Police reports revealed that authorities discovered five of the eight crypto mining machines at a care home in Sham Shui Po, while the remaining three were located in a facility in Kwun Tong.
“The institution found unusual signs of slowness on the internet network recently and its IT unit subsequently discovered unauthorised equipment was installed in the false ceiling of its office,” Inspector Ng Tsz-wing of the Sham Shui Po police district’s technology and financial crime squad stated on Thursday.
A thorough investigation by authorities revealed that the two men, employed at an engineering firm, exploited facility upgrades in August to connect the crypto mining devices to the care homes’ power and network systems. Inspector Ng clarified that the engineering company itself was not implicated and that the technicians acted independently.
Under the Theft Ordinance, anyone found guilty of dishonestly using, diverting, or wasting electricity without proper authorization can face up to five years in prison.
Crypto mining uses specialized hardware like ASICs and GPUs to validate blockchain transactions, but these devices consume significant electricity. High-end miners can use hundreds to thousands of watts, and cooling systems add to energy costs. Mining operations often seek low-cost power sources to remain profitable, with some large setups consuming electricity comparable to that of small towns.
Authorities have urged organizations to remain vigilant over utility usage and network activity, especially during facility upgrades. They emphasized that reporting unusual spikes in electricity or internet consumption can help prevent similar incidents and protect both operational integrity and public trust.
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Michaela has no crypto positions and does not hold any crypto assets. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The Shib Magazine and The Shib Daily are the official media and publications of the Shiba Inu cryptocurrency project. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.
