AI Cargo Thefts Surge in US: Thieves Target Data Center Equipment

Organized crime groups in the US are now stealing equipment intended for artificial intelligence data centers, including server switches and cooling systems. They employ elaborate tactics such as staging accidents, posing as legitimate carriers, and manipulating GPS signals. In one case in California, unknown individuals caused collisions with security vehicles escorting trucks; after the escorts left the route, the trucks never reached their destinations, and neither the drivers nor the equipment were found. The crimes occur as the US rapidly builds out AI data centers that require expensive accelerators, servers, switches, optical equipment, and cooling components, all shipped via standard logistics with insufficient security. Despite a 26% drop in cargo thefts last quarter, the value of stolen goods more than doubled. In April, 34,560 optical cables and 96 network switches were stolen while being transported from Mississippi to Texas, with some recovered. In Southern California, a suspected stolen cargo worth $4 million, including Deepcool AI cooling systems, was seized, and one person was arrested. In June, California police seized goods worth over $2.2 million, including eight pallets of Celestica server switches made for Meta, valued at $550,000. That same day, a trailer in Chicago was found containing $1 million in equipment destined for a data center. Criminals also use phishing to access transport companies' emails, impersonate their representatives, or illegally purchase carrier IDs, causing shippers to hand over goods voluntarily. Flock license plate cameras helped identify individuals surveilling a facility, and a company began scanning drivers' licenses to spot fakes.