Two men reportedly checked into Chinese esports hotels to steal 16 RAM sticks
Two men have been detained in China after allegedly stealing 16 memory modules from gaming PCs installed inside hotel rooms. Police said the components were taken from four properties during May.
The case was investigated by the Police Station in Shihezi, a city in China’s Xinjiang region. The investigation began after an esports hotel operator found that several computers no longer started during routine maintenance. Staff opened the systems and discovered that their memory modules were missing.
Not a normal hotel
Perhaps just as some of you, I was surprised to learn that there are gaming PCs inside hotel rooms. Turns out these are not standard hotels, but esports hotels. Esports hotels are accommodation businesses with gaming computers installed directly inside private rooms. Customers pay for a room containing beds, gaming PCs and internet access, allowing groups to play games while staying overnight.
According to the police-sourced report, one suspect first checked into a hotel alone and removed two RAM modules from a computer. After the theft went unnoticed, he allegedly recruited a second person. Between May 15 and May 31, the pair reportedly visited four hotels and stole another 14 modules.
RAM sold through online platforms and local stores
The components were allegedly sold through second-hand trading platforms and physical computer stores. Police estimate that the suspects received more than 13,200 yuan, equivalent to approximately $1,840, from the stolen hardware.
Investigators identified the suspects by reviewing hotel surveillance footage, guest registration information and records showing when the computers stopped working. Both men were arrested the following day and placed under criminal detention. The investigation and recovery of the stolen property remain ongoing.
Source: GMW
