AI data center supplies hit by cargo thieves: Copper wire and building materials all stolen in $1.3M heists

Recent discoveries include $300,000 worth of copper and $1 million worth of data center equipment.
Copper demand (and prices) remains high
Manufacturers and shippers fight back

Criminals are increasingly turning their attention to data centers as AI-related construction projects accelerate across the United States, with organized crime groups targeting expensive construction equipment and materials, experts have warned.

According to Business Insidera trailer containing approximately $300,000 worth of spool of copper wire was recovered in a single incident, but in a related incident just a week before, another trailer containing approximately $1 million worth of data center equipment was also recovered.

In this case, the copper shipment was stolen in Alabama after leaving Florida, but it was found by the Cook County Sheriff’s Office hundreds of miles away in Illinois.

Criminals increasingly target data center hardware and materials

While hyperscalers sometimes announce multi-million and multi-billion dollar announcements almost every week, this means that huge quantities of valuable materials are being transported across the United States, ultimately creating new opportunities for criminals.

Besides copper cabling (the price of which remains high, as does criminal demand), criminals also target components and complete hardware like servers, GPUs, storage, etc.

But manufacturers are fighting this growing threat, often putting serial numbers and trackers on materials or installing GPS trackers inside trailers. Selling on the second-hand market is also more problematic than the theft of consumer goods, as buyers spending millions usually want reassurance through documentation and proof of ownership.

Separate CargoNet data found that cargo theft incidents increased by around 18% in 2025, with losses up to 60% and the average value of thefts up 36%. Metal thefts also increased by 77%.

“Criminal enterprises are becoming more selective and sophisticated, targeting extremely high-value shipments rather than relying on opportunistic thefts,” added Keith Lewis, vice president of operations for Verisk CargoNet.

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