Hong Kong Workers Arrested for Mining Cryptocurrency With Care Home Power

Technicians hid eight crypto miners in care home ceilings using stolen electricity and internet.

Facilities faced HK$9,000 monthly power surges and slower internet before detection.

U.S. case saw influencer “CP3O” sentenced for $4.5M cryptojacking scheme.

Two technicians in Hong Kong have been arrested after authorities uncovered a hidden cryptocurrency mining operation inside care facilities for the disabled. According to a local report, police say the men diverted both electricity and internet services from the institutions to power several mining devices.

Mining Machines Hidden in Care Home Ceilings

Investigators reported that the unauthorized equipment was discovered during routine checks. Staff members noticed unusually high electricity bills, with one facility’s costs increasing by as much as HK$9,000 ($1,153). The institutions also experienced slower internet connections, prompting internal reviews.

Police Inspector Ng Tsz-wing stated that the suspects used their access as engineering technicians to install eight mining machines. Five were hidden in suspended ceilings at an office in Sham Shui Po, while three were placed in a facility in Kwun Tong. The machines were connected directly to the buildings’ power supply and networks, allowing the miners to operate continuously

Arrests and Ongoing Investigation

The men, aged 32 and 33, were arrested last Friday in Mong Kok and Sham Shui Po. Authorities said both had been employed by the same engineering company for several years. Investigators believe the incident was an isolated case rather than part of a larger organized group.

Police assured that the name of the institutions would not be released during the investigation. The Hong Kong Theft ordinance imposes a five year prison sentence against unauthorized use of electricity. Inspector Ng encouraged the population to be vigilant when facilities were being upgraded and to be careful with bill reviews and network activity. According to him, suspicious activity must be reported to the law enforcement instantly.

Expert Observations on Energy Costs

Francis Fong Po-kiu, honorary chairman of the Hong Kong Information Technology Federation, noted that mining cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin requires significant energy. He compared the continuous power consumption of mining devices to running air conditioning throughout the day. He said this cost often motivates operators to seek free or unauthorized electricity.

The Hong Kong arrests follow another high-profile cryptojacking case abroad. In August, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the sentencing of Charles O. Parks III, known online as “CP3O.”

Parks illegally mined cryptocurrency by exploiting stolen computing resources from major cloud service providers between January and August 2021. Authorities calculated that his operation generated $4.5 million in unlawful proceeds. According to court documents, Parks used the funds to purchase a Mercedes-Benz, jewelry, luxury accommodations, and first-class travel. He received a sentence of one year and one day in federal prison.