The FBI Philadelphia Field Office has issued an urgent alert to the transportation and logistics sector, warning of a significant rise in cargo theft scams targeting freight operators across the supply chain.
According to the bureau, criminals are deploying increasingly sophisticated tactics to intercept shipments, defraud carriers, and divert goods. These schemes frequently involve identity theft, fraudulent carrier registrations, and the impersonation of legitimate logistics businesses in order to gain access to high-value loads.
Industry analysts have noted that cargo theft has evolved well beyond traditional hijackings. Today, organised crime groups are leveraging digital platforms, load boards, and stolen credentials to execute large-scale fraud, often moving goods across multiple jurisdictions before detection.
The FBI is urging freight forwarders, hauliers, brokers, and shippers to remain vigilant by verifying carrier credentials, monitoring shipments in real time, and reporting any suspicious activity to the authorities without delay. Robust due diligence, secure communication channels, and strong internal controls remain the most effective defences against this growing threat.