Xinjiang hotel memory‑theft scheme

In mid‑May 2026, police in Xinjiang’s Bayi First Division uncovered a theft ring operating out of esports‑style hotels. Two men, Li and Cheng, posed as guests, entered rooms, opened computer cases and removed sixteen DRAM memory modules, which they later sold online and in local digital‑goods shops. The scheme was discovered after hotel operators reported multiple computer failures.

By late July, investigators linked the incidents through CCTV, guest‑registration records and equipment‑failure logs, leading to the arrest of the two suspects. Both men were placed in criminal detention on theft charges, and authorities began recovering the stolen modules and proceeds. The thefts occurred against a backdrop of sharply rising DRAM prices, which were projected to increase by roughly 90‑95 % in early 2026, providing a strong financial motive for the crimes.