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Two arrested for checking into esports hotels and stealing RAM, making off with over $2,000 in profit in just one month
Two people were arrested after allegedly posing as guests at esports hotels in order to steal computer RAM from the premises. The case highlights a vulnerability for venues that provide large numbers of accessible gaming PCs, where repeated thefts of relatively small components can quickly cause financial losses and disruption.
According to the report’s headline, the suspects made more than $2,000 profit in a month through the alleged thefts. RAM is a removable, valuable component used in PCs, and replacing it can leave gaming systems unavailable while venues absorb repair and security costs.
In short
- Two people were arrested over alleged RAM thefts.
- Esports hotels were reportedly targeted.
- The alleged profit exceeded $2,000 in one month.
Explained simply
Esports hotels are venues dedicated to competitive video gaming, providing numerous high-spec computers for guests to use during their stay. These establishments cater to serious gamers and have become increasingly common as competitive gaming has grown in popularity worldwide.
RAM, or random access memory, is a component inside computers that helps them run programmes and games smoothly. It is easily removable from most computers, making it an attractive target for thieves, and the parts can be resold for profit.
Venues that offer large numbers of accessible gaming computers are vulnerable to component theft, as removing small internal parts can go unnoticed for some time. Even modest losses from individual thefts quickly accumulate into significant financial damage, whilst also forcing venues to remove machines from service for repairs, which disrupts their operations and affects paying customers.