RAM thieves looted eSport hotels in China stealing $2,000 worth of gear

In a bizarre display of tech piracy, a duo of thieves made their mark on China’s hospitality industry by targeting the very memory that powers modern gaming setups. Li and his partner, Cheng, were arrested after a two-week spree involving the theft of RAM sticks from various eSports hotels across China.

The operation, which began in May in Shihezi City, Northern Xinjiang, appeared to be less about grand larceny and more about opportunistic snatching. Li, the primary mover, reportedly found his opportunity when checking into an eSports hotel, where the high-end gaming PCs included the necessary memory components. From this initial success, a partnership was formed with Cheng, transforming what might have been a solo venture into a dynamic duo dedicated to hotel room-dismantling.

Over the course of two weeks, the pair managed to pilfer a total of 16 RAM sticks from multiple hotel rooms. While the operation may not have resulted in fortunes, the stolen silicon pieces were not without profit. The thieves sold their illicit haul on the second-hand goods market, generating a total revenue of approximately 13,200 yuan, or about $1,950, by selling the stolen components to online marketplaces and physical stores.

The irony of the crime was not lost on guests. As subsequent patrons attempted to boot up their systems in the hotels, they encountered a devastating reality: systems plagued by faulty memory. Complaints began trickling in regarding black screens and the inability to boot up properly, leading hotel staff to investigate the source of the technical woes.

The reports hinted that the thieves’ “DRAM dirty deeds” had tangible consequences for the hospitality sector. Some observers suggested that perhaps a simpler solution—reducing the RAM capacity in the raided PCs—might have averted widespread guest frustration over RAM-deficient PCs, though this is purely speculation.

The police were eventually drawn into the investigation following the customer complaints. Li and Cheng are now both in custody, and authorities are continuing their inquiry into the extent of the memory piracy operation.