WASHINGTON, July 7 — The figure that matters: $1 billion. That’s what copper thefts from construction sites cost the U.S. economy each year, according to the FBI. And a new front in that crime wave has opened up: data centers.
The FBI’s Washington Field Office is tracking organized theft rings that are now targeting these facilities, drawn by the massive amounts of copper wiring used in power and cooling systems. Wayne Jacobs, the FBI Special Agent in Charge of the Criminal Division for the Washington Field Office, is overseeing the investigations.
Jacobs has been with the bureau since 2005, with a background in financial crimes. The bottom line: The surge in data center construction, fueled by the AI boom, has created a target-rich environment for thieves. The FBI has documented copper thefts from data centers and related infrastructure in at least 10 states.
By the numbers, the problem has been building for years. The FBI first noted a rise in copper thefts from critical infrastructure starting in 2023.
Data centers are a newer focus for these crews, who have traditionally hit construction sites, power substations, and telecom facilities. Investors will note the direct link Jacobs has drawn between the thefts and the growth of AI data centers. These facilities require enormous amounts of copper for grounding, power distribution, and network cabling.
The metal’s high scrap value makes it a prime target. The FBI is not just tracking the problem; it’s acting. In 2024, the bureau partnered with local police in Northern Virginia to form a dedicated task force.
That region is the world’s largest data center market, home to hundreds of facilities in what is known as “Data Center Alley.”
How the FBI is fighting back
The agency is using a mix of surveillance and undercover operations to catch the thieves. Jacobs’ team is working to dismantle the organized theft rings that are treating data centers as ATMs. The scope of the problem is national.
While Northern Virginia is a hotspot, the FBI is tracking thefts across at least 10 states. The $1 billion annual figure for construction-site copper thefts gives a sense of the scale, and the data center component is growing.
Jacobs has emphasized that these are not petty crimes. The thefts disrupt critical infrastructure, delay construction timelines, and create safety hazards. When thieves strip copper from a data center under construction, they can cause millions in damage and delays.
What to watch next
The task force in Northern Virginia will be a key test case. If the partnership between the FBI and local police can disrupt the theft rings operating there, it could provide a model for other regions. The broader question is whether the industry will adapt.
Data center developers are increasingly using security measures like concrete barriers, motion sensors, and 24/7 guards. But as long as copper prices remain high, the incentive for thieves will remain.
The FBI’s message is clear: These are organized, sophisticated operations, and the bureau is treating them as a priority. Jacobs’ division is putting resources into both tracking the stolen metal and catching the people taking it. For now, the $1 billion figure is the headline.
But the real cost — in delayed AI infrastructure, disrupted power grids, and safety risks — is harder to calculate.
