Trucking News · Nationwide · October 23, 2026

Cargo Thieves Have Taken Over $150 Million in AI Equipment in 2026

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Computer equipment for artificial intelligence (AI) has become a top target for cargo thieves, and according to a new industry report, they are increasingly getting it with fake paperwork and spoofed messages instead of force.

According to a recent report from CargoNet, a New Jersey-based freight security company, cargo thieves have stolen more than $150 million in AI equipment this year, Land Line reports. The report points to a 34% increase in thefts of data center equipment, chips and computing components since 2024.

"AI hardware is some of the most concentrated value moving through the supply chain right now, and it's become the fastest-growing target for these criminal networks," Barry Conlon, CEO and founder of Overhaul, said in a statement quoted by Land Line.

From force to fraud

Land Line says the report describes a shift from "force to fraud." Instead of breaking into trailers, thieves are using fraudulent carrier identities, double-brokering, spoofed communications and falsified paperwork. Double-brokering is when a load is handed off to another carrier without the shipper's approval. According to the report, those deception tactics were used in 92% of thefts involving high-value technology shipments.

"A single flagship AI server rack costs roughly $3 million, so one truckload routinely carries eight figures of value, and all of it moves on ordinary roads before it is installed," the report said, as quoted by Land Line. "Overhaul found that individual losses now regularly exceed $30 million, with such thefts occurring weekly."

For comparison, the average loss per shipment in the second quarter of 2026 was $564,009, according to the report. CargoNet said the largest single theft of AI cargo on record topped $100 million.

Fewer thefts, bigger losses

CargoNet data shows overall theft incidents in the second quarter fell 14% from the first quarter and 26% from the second quarter of 2025. But Overhaul said estimated losses for the quarter reached $304.6 million.

"Lower incident volume should not be mistaken for lower risk," said Keith Lewis, vice president of operations with CargoNet. "The groups driving the largest losses are not necessarily trying to steal more freight; they are trying to identify the right shipment."

States are responding. Land Line reports that Arizona passed a law in July creating a statewide task force on organized cargo theft, and that California, Michigan and Tennessee have also approved cargo theft legislation this year.

A question for readers

Has anyone ever tried to steer a load away from you with a fake call, email or set of paperwork, and how did you spot it?

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