Organized crime is targeting the nation’s supply chain with unprecedented levels of sophistication and frequency.
- A six-month CNBC investigation reveals that domestic and international criminal networks are exploiting logistics technologies to hijack, reroute, or steal entire truckloads of goods.
- Armed with falsified documents and impersonation tactics, thieves infiltrate the system undetected and walk away with high-value shipments.
Alarming Growth by the Numbers
- 3,798 theft incidents in 2024 (up 26% from 2023)
- Estimated $1 billion+ in annual losses
- 40% surge in train cargo thefts, over 65,000 cases
- Strategic theft (scams via impersonation and fraud) now accounts for nearly 1 in 3 thefts, up from 8% in 2020
Cybercrime Meets Freight Fraud
Criminals use platforms like DAT Freight & Analytics and government systems to phish, spoof, and seize control of legitimate shipping operations. Some even create fake companies to reassign freight or payments to criminal hands.
What they’re saying: “It’s like identity theft for freight,” said Keith Lewis of Verisk CargoNet. “There’s no trail to follow.”
Top Targets
- Food & Beverage – Hard to trace once consumed
- Household Goods – High resale potential
- Electronics – Light, valuable, and easy to fence
Companies on Edge
Major brands from Meta to Nike have been hit.
- In one case, $500,000 of Meta’s Ray-Ban and Oculus products were stolen.
- Lululemon recently lost over $1 million in apparel from a California distribution center.
- Retailers often remain silent on theft to avoid reputational risk, but stolen goods mean delays, shortages, and price increases.
Industry & Government Response
- Highway, a freight security platform, blocked nearly 1 million fraud attempts in 2024.
- Companies like TQL, Nolan Transportation, and C.H. Robinson heavily invest in digital safeguards and real-time monitoring.
- Lawmakers have proposed the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act to coordinate federal and local agencies in fighting theft.
- The FMCSA has implemented multi-factor authentication and is developing a more secure registration system.
A Smarter Criminal
Barry Conlon of Overhaul said, “It’s not petty theft. These are organized groups with strategic targets, great intel, and low risk. Why rob a bank when you can hijack a million-dollar load?”
The Path Forward
Experts warn this wave will continue, with a projected 22% increase in 2025. While some companies stay ahead with advanced technology and vigilance, others struggle to keep pace.
Cargo theft isn’t just a logistics issue — it’s a national economic threat. As law enforcement and supply chain stakeholders rally to respond, the stakes are rising for every player in the freight industry.