The International Criminal Police Organization, known as Interpol, reported over a thousand arrests and the confiscation of approximately $100 million during a recent crackdown that targeted cryptocurrency miners and fraudsters.
In a notice issued on Friday, Interpol announced its collaboration with authorities in Angola to shut down 25 illegally operated crypto mining facilities run by 60 Chinese nationals.
The organization noted that it had confiscated equipment valued at more than $37 million, which the Angolan government plans to allocate to “vulnerable areas.”
The mining crackdown in Angola was part of a larger cybercrime initiative across various African nations, leading to the apprehension of 1,209 individuals and the recovery of over $97 million.
Additionally, Zambian officials reported dismantling a fraud scheme that deceived 65,000 victims into losing about $300 million with promises of high-yield returns on crypto investments.
Angola, home to around 39 million people, grapples with significant challenges regarding power distribution and supply throughout the country, contributing to the crackdown on crypto mining. Although the use of digital assets is largely not illegal, a ban on mining was implemented in April 2024 due to concerns over crypto’s energy consumption.
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“The law criminalizes cryptocurrency mining, and the possession of information, communications, and infrastructure equipment used for virtual currency ‘mining’ is punishable by one to five years’ imprisonment and the confiscation of the equipment,” stated a translated notice from the Chinese embassy in Angola in April 2024, cautioning residents about the mining ban.
Mining crackdowns in response to energy concerns
Numerous countries have enacted laws or policies that restrict or completely ban cryptocurrency mining operations due to power distribution concerns for their citizens. Recent examples of such crackdowns include Russia’s Republic of Buryatia, where 95 mining rigs and a mobile transformer were discovered hidden in a truck illegally siphoning electricity.
In the United States, mining regulations are set by individual states, resulting in “friendly” regions like Texas, where companies like MARA Holdings, Riot Platforms, and CleanSpark operate. In 2022, the New York government imposed a two-year moratorium on proof-of-work mining within the state.
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