Highway thieves are spoofing GPS to steal millions in data center-bound cargo

Investigators explain how highway thieves stole $100M in data center equipment.

Highway thieves are spoofing GPS to steal millions in data center-bound cargo

TL;DR

  • Highway thieves are using sophisticated digital tactics to steal millions in data center equipment.
  • Over $100 million in data center freight has been stolen since June.
  • Thieves hack freight brokers' accounts, post fake shipments, and use malicious links to control trucking accounts.
  • Commonly targeted equipment includes servers, fiber-optic cables, computer memory chips, copper wires, and bitcoin mining machines.
  • Stolen goods are resold on gray markets, often to overseas buyers.
  • In some cases, security escorts hired to protect shipments have been targeted in hit-and-run attacks.
  • Digital tactics include infiltrating email accounts, misdirecting shipments, disrupting GPS, and using AI for fake driver's licenses.
  • These thefts are a growing trend, with thousands of incidents reported in states like California, Texas, and Utah.
  • Industry experts and law enforcement are working on solutions, including improved driver vetting and specialized task forces.