The illegal crypto mining scandal in Thailand centers on four senior officials from the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) who were exposed by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) for allegedly abusing their authority to operate an illegal Bitcoin mining syndicate. On January 19, DSI officials seized 3,642 crypto mining rigs and reported that evidence recovered linked the operation to financiers and state officials. DSI raids across three houses also produced mining equipment, cash, laptops, phones and bank passbooks, and investigators reported cash deposits worth 19 million baht were connected to the case.
The accused PEA officials include an assistant governor, a regional-level deputy manager, a technician and a service division employee who retired in 2025, and raids were conducted in Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Sakhon provinces. Investigators allege the officials arranged warehousing, facilitated electricity supply and transformer access for the mining hub and accepted monthly kickbacks of up to 400,000 baht. Operation Copperhead was launched in December 2025 as part of a broader crackdown on illegal Bitcoin mining, and authorities stated legal action would be taken against all offenders without exception and the case would be forwarded to the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) raids revealed the scale of the illegal mining operations, with 3,642 crypto mining rigs seized on January 19. DSI investigations led to confiscation of thousands of illegal mining rigs and recovery of mining equipment, cash, laptops, phones and bank passbooks from three houses. Investigators reported cash deposits worth 19 million baht linked to the operation and said evidence recovered connected the syndicate to financiers and state officials.
Raids were conducted in Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Sakhon provinces and covered multiple properties tied to the syndicate. Operation Copperhead was launched in December 2025 as part of a broader crackdown on illegal Bitcoin mining and the January 19 seizures were reported under that operation. The accused included four senior PEA officials, identified as an assistant governor, a regional-level deputy manager, a technician and a service division employee who retired in 2025.
Separately, in January 2025 the PEA uncovered a Bitcoin mining farm in Chonburi where about 996 mining rigs were seized after tampering with power meters, and authorities stated legal action would be taken against all offenders and the case would be forwarded to the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
DSI raids uncovered the scale of the illegal mining operations, with 3,642 crypto mining rigs seized on January 19. Investigators confiscated thousands of illegal mining rigs and recovered mining equipment, cash, laptops, phones and bank passbooks from three houses. Officials reported cash deposits worth 19 million baht were connected to the operation and said evidence recovered linked the syndicate to financiers and state officials. Raids were conducted in Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Sakhon provinces.
Operation Copperhead was launched in December 2025 as part of a broader crackdown on illegal Bitcoin mining, and the January 19 seizures were reported under that operation. The accused include four senior PEA officials: an assistant governor, a regional-level deputy manager, a technician and a service division employee who retired in 2025. Investigators allege the officials arranged warehousing, facilitated electricity supply and transformer access for the mining hub and accepted monthly kickbacks of up to 400,000 baht. Separately, in January 2025 the PEA uncovered a Bitcoin mining farm in Chonburi where about 996 mining rigs were seized after tampering with power meters. Authorities stated legal action would be taken against all offenders and the case would be forwarded to the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
Operation Copperhead, initiated in December 2025, played a pivotal role in intensifying the crackdown on illegal Bitcoin mining activities in Thailand. This comprehensive operation, spearheaded by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), aimed to dismantle illicit mining networks and prosecute those involved, including high-ranking officials. During the course of Operation Copperhead, multiple raids were conducted across various provinces, leading to the confiscation of a significant number of illegal mining rigs and other related equipment.
Pol Capt Khemachart Prakaihongmanee, director of the DSI’s Technology and Cyber Crime Bureau, emphasized the seriousness of the operation by stating, “Legal action would be taken against all offenders without exception, regardless of rank or position.” He further assured that “the case would be expedited and forwarded to the National Anti-Corruption Commission for further action.”
This indicates a strong stance by the authorities to ensure accountability and enforcement of anti-corruption measures in tackling the illegal mining scandal.
In January 2025, the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) launched an investigation that uncovered a Bitcoin mining farm in Chonburi. This operation involved tampering with power meters, which is an illegal activity intended to reduce electricity charges. Throughout this crackdown, approximately 996 mining rigs were seized. This raid was part of the broader initiative by PEA to curb unauthorized and illegal Bitcoin mining activities within Thailand, highlighting earlier enforcement actions preceding Operation Copperhead.
Russia reported millions of dollars per year in electricity losses and lost taxes tied to crypto mining. The reported losses and lost taxes were described as linked to crypto mining activities in Russia. Russian authorities proposed penalties for unregistered crypto mining operations.
The proposed penalties for unregistered crypto mining operations include prison sentences of up to 5 years. The proposed fines for such unregistered operations are up to 2.5 million rubles. The proposals specify both custodial terms and monetary fines for unregistered mining operations in Russia. The proposals refer specifically to unregistered crypto mining.
Four senior officials from the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) were implicated by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) for allegedly abusing their authority to operate an illegal Bitcoin mining syndicate. DSI raids carried out under Operation Copperhead, including actions on January 19, resulted in the seizure of 3,642 crypto mining rigs and the recovery of mining equipment, cash, laptops, phones and bank passbooks from properties in Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Sakhon provinces. Investigators reported cash deposits worth 19 million baht and alleged the accused officials arranged warehousing, facilitated electricity supply and transformer access for the mining hub while receiving monthly kickbacks reportedly up to 400,000 baht. Authorities stated legal action would be taken against all offenders without exception and the case would be expedited and forwarded to the National Anti-Corruption Commission for further action.
