Bangkok (VNA) - The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) of Thailand has expanded its probe into a grey Chinese capital network allegedly linked to illegal crypto mining and transnational money laundering, with financial flows of more than 10 billion THB (303.7 million USD) per year.
In 2025, the DSI’s Technology and Cyber Crime Bureau dismantled three major networks accused of illegally using electricity for digital currency mining.
Authorities seized more than 6,390 cryptocurrency mining machines and found total damage to the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) of more than 953 million THB.
The case is considered one of the highest-value illegal uses of state utilities in recent years.
As a result, the DSI has already forwarded two case files under the authority of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). These involve seven electricity authority officials, one law enforcement officer and 13 investors or alleged accomplices.
The expansion of the investigation from the illegal crypto-mining networks has also led authorities to examine Chinese investment groups believed to play a key role in managing a large financial network in Thailand.
DSI investigators found information and evidence allegedly connected to money laundering from technology-related crimes, including call centre scams and transnational online gambling networks.
The DSI has issued arrest warrants for eight suspects, including four Chinese financiers and four members of a Myanmar group. Authorities are also seeking approval for seven additional arrest warrants and have summoned five other individuals for questioning.
The agency said it would expedite evidence collection to finalise the case and forward it to prosecutors for legal proceedings.
According to the DSI, the illegal use of electricity for cryptocurrency mining goes far beyond electricity theft or bill evasion. It serves as a critical mechanism for transnational criminal organisations to generate income, launder money and support technology-related criminal networks, posing significant risks to Thailand’s economic security and financial system./.
Thailand busts million-dollar online gambling network
The Thai police on June 20 announced the arrest of an administrator of the online gambling website “PHAYAK789,” which processed transactions worth more than 15 million USD annually.
