KUANTAN: A stroke survivor is facing a RM91,657 compound after her house in Cherating was allegedly used for illegal Bitcoin mining, leaving the property damaged.
Rabiatul Adawiyah Abdul Rahman, 35, said she had no reason to suspect wrongdoing as her monthly electricity bills ranged from RM6 to RM30 and her rent was paid promptly.
She said she agreed to rent out the house for RM850 a month after a man met her at her food stall in Balok with his wife and child, provided the required details and paid the deposit.
The tenant moved in on April 1 and later texted her that he would be working offshore while his wife stayed with her in-laws.
Rabiatul suffered a stroke on May 12, which prevented her from visiting the property.
On Sept 27, a neighbour alerted her that police and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) workers had visited the house.
"I discovered that the premises had been used for Bitcoin mining. The walls, ceiling and toilets were damaged, with burn marks and holes everywhere. The house was left in a mess," she said.
She lodged a police report and was later informed that the MyKad details and phone number provided by the tenant belonged to other people.
Rabiatul alleged that the syndicate had tampered with the electricity supply and stolen power directly from the main pole.
She is seeking help to resolve the compound, as the electricity account is registered under her name and the tenants have disappeared.
"My husband, who works as a wireman, has stopped working to care for me. TNB wants me to pay the amount and has offered an instalment plan, but I feel this is unfair because the scammers are still free," she said.
Indera Mahkota Umno division chief Muhammad Faiz Hashim, who met Rabiatul, told the New Straits Times that nine other landlords in the area had allegedly experienced similar incidents after renting their properties to tenants who used them for illegal Bitcoin mining.
"All the victims are from low-income backgrounds. I am trying to bring them together to explore ways to assist them, including holding discussions with TNB. They are under immense pressure to pay such huge penalties," he said.
During Op Steal, a crackdown on illegal Bitcoin mining using stolen electricity in May, property owners were advised to transfer electricity accounts to their tenants' names when renting out their properties.
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