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Organised Crime Uses GPS Spoofing to Steal $100M in Data Centre Equipment

Organised Crime Uses GPS Spoofing to Steal $100M in Data Centre Equipment

First seen 27 Oct 2026, 12:43 UTC • •
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ThreatCluster AI
ThreatCluster •October 27, 2026 at 15:19 UTC
  • •Over $100 million in data centre equipment stolen since June 2026.
  • •Criminals use GPS spoofing and hacked accounts to intercept shipments.
  • •Thefts are becoming more coordinated and violent, targeting high-value AI infrastructure.

Since June 2026, organised criminal networks have stolen over $100 million in data centre equipment using sophisticated methods like GPS spoofing and hacked freight accounts. Two major thefts involved shipments of computer hardware worth $23 million, including a $13 million trailer bound for Fayetteville, Georgia, and a $10 million shipment from California to Texas. In both cases, vehicles struck escort cars, allowing the trailers to escape. Investigators noted that the GPS tracking for the second shipment was spoofed, complicating recovery efforts. Criminals are reportedly using phishing schemes to compromise freight brokers' accounts, enabling them to misdirect shipments and hire accomplices with fake identities. The stolen equipment includes servers, memory chips, and copper wiring, with a growing trend in high-value technology cargo thefts as AI investments surge. Experts warn that these thefts are becoming more coordinated and violent, representing a significant shift from opportunistic highway thefts.

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Timeline

2026-06-01
Theft wave begins
Organised crime networks start stealing data centre equipment using advanced tactics.
Ibtimes
2026-10-26
California shipment theft
A $10 million shipment of server rack components was stolen after GPS tracking was spoofed.
Arstechnica
2026-10-27
Major theft incidents reported
Two significant thefts involving $23 million in data centre equipment are detailed, highlighting the use of GPS spoofing.
Ibtimes

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Common questions

How are the thieves operating?
Thieves are using GPS spoofing, hacked freight accounts, and fake identities to intercept shipments.
What types of equipment are being targeted?
The stolen equipment includes servers, memory chips, copper wiring, and Bitcoin mining machines.
What should companies do to protect their shipments?
Companies should enhance their shipment verification processes and consider security escorts for high-value cargo.