GPS Spoofing Cargo Thieves Steal Over $100 Million in Data Center Equipment
Thieves stole over $100 million in data center cargo since June, using hacked freight accounts, fake IDs, GPS spoofing and violent attacks on police escorts.
Summary
By October 26, 2026, thieves had stolen more than $100 million in data center freight since June, targeting servers, fiber optic cables, memory chips, copper wire and bitcoin mining machines. They compromise freight broker accounts, lure carriers with fake listings, install malware through malicious links, seize carrier accounts and bid on real loads. Criminals also infiltrate email, misdirect deliveries, use unwitting drivers or accomplices hired with AI generated licenses, transfer cargo and spoof GPS. LASD Sgt. David Pantoja says planned digital attacks now drive most thefts, replacing opportunistic robbery.
Cook County recovered two Illinois loads containing $300,000 in copper spools and about $1 million in custom data center power equipment. Los Angeles County recovered Deepcool AI cooling equipment among nicotine pouches, televisions, shoes, printers, speakers and cosmetics. Two larger loads remain missing: several hundred pounds of server equipment worth $13 million bound for Fayetteville, Georgia, and $10 million in server rack components traveling from California to Texas. Sedans or SUVs struck both off duty police escort vehicles, and the Texas load spoofed its tracking application. Investigator Gerardo Pachuca called the first collision intentional.
Nearly two dozen incidents have affected states including California, Texas and Utah since 2025. Verisk CargoNet operations chief Keith Lewis compares the equipment to gold bars, while investigators say dismantled parts reach gray market technology companies and prearranged overseas buyers, particularly in China. TAPA Americas chair Scott Cornell says proper driver checks could disrupt the schemes. Lawmakers are considering stronger federal action, states have formed task forces, and Solutions Group International CEO Mike Duffy says his company escorts hundreds of loads monthly, many tied to data centers, despite violent attacks remaining isolated.
Positives
- Cook County recovered $1.3 million in copper spools and custom data center power equipment from two stolen Illinois loads.
- Los Angeles County recovered Deepcool AI cooling equipment hidden within a mixed shipment of consumer goods.
- State task forces are tracing stolen cargo while lawmakers consider a stronger federal response to overseas theft networks.
- Solutions Group International escorts hundreds of loads monthly, with much of its work protecting data center shipments.
- TAPA Americas chair Scott Cornell says thorough driver background checks could directly disrupt the theft model.
Risks & concerns
- More than $100 million in data center freight was stolen between June and October 26, 2026.
- Two unrecovered shipments contained $13 million in server equipment and $10 million in server rack components.
- Criminals use hacked accounts, malicious links, AI generated licenses, email infiltration and GPS spoofing to redirect legitimate loads.
- Vehicles deliberately struck off duty police escorts during two major thefts, allowing trailers to escape.
- Nearly two dozen incidents have affected states including California, Texas and Utah since 2025.
- Stolen components enter gray markets and prearranged overseas sales, particularly where access to advanced US technology is restricted.