Cargo theft is no longer limited to stolen trailers or fake pickups at shipping yards. Federal investigators say organized cybercriminals are now targeting brokers and carriers directly by compromising accounts, impersonating legitimate businesses, and rerouting freight before anyone realizes the load has been stolen.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and its Internet Crime Complaint Center recently issued a public warning outlining how these cyber-enabled cargo theft operations are working and why losses are climbing across the trucking industry.
According to the FBI, estimated cargo theft losses across the United States and Canada reached nearly $725 million in 2025, representing a 60 percent increase from the previous year. Confirmed cargo theft incidents also increased 18 percent, while the average loss per theft climbed to $273,990 due to more selective targeting of high-value freight.
How Criminals Are Getting Access to Carrier and Broker Systems
Federal investigators say many of these theft operations begin with phishing attacks aimed at brokers and carriers.
Cybercriminals send spoofed emails, fake links, or fraudulent carrier broker agreements designed to look legitimate. Once someone clicks the link or downloads the file, attackers can gain remote access to company systems without being detected immediately.
The FBI said threat actors have increasingly used compromised accounts to impersonate legitimate brokers and carriers on load boards. Fraudulent loads are then posted online to lure legitimate companies into communicating with the attackers.
In some cases, criminals also alter carrier contact information and insurance details connected to FMCSA records in order to make the operation appear legitimate to brokers and shippers.
Why Drivers and Carriers Often Do Not Realize a Load Was Hijacked
One reason these theft schemes have become harder to detect is that portions of the process can appear legitimate at first.
According to the FBI, threat actors sometimes double-broker loads to partially unwitting drivers after accepting shipments while posing as compromised carriers. Manipulated bills of lading and altered delivery information are then used to redirect freight away from the intended destination.
The agency said some compromised carriers do not realize their accounts were being used fraudulently until brokers begin calling about missing freight booked under their authority.
Federal investigators also warned that stolen freight is frequently cross-docked or transloaded to other drivers before being resold. In some cases, criminals reconnect with brokers afterward and demand ransom payments for load information or cargo location details.
Warning Signs Trucking Companies Should Watch Closely
The FBI outlined several indicators that may point to a cyber-enabled cargo theft operation.
Some of the most common include:
- shipment activity tied to a company that was never authorized
- spoofed email addresses using free providers instead of company domains
- requests to download forms or agreements from shortened links
- messages claiming negative service reviews that require clicking a link to resolve the issue
- unauthorized email forwarding rules or mailbox changes
- domains with slight spelling changes or altered extensions designed to imitate legitimate companies
Investigators also said criminals frequently rely on temporary VOIP phone numbers or applications connected to overseas numbers while communicating with brokers and carriers.
Steps Carriers Can Take to Reduce Risk
The FBI is urging brokers, carriers, and transportation companies to independently verify shipment requests and pickup details before releasing freight.
The agency also recommended:
- using multi-channel verification for transactions
- confirming unexpected communications through secondary authentication methods
- documenting driver and vehicle information thoroughly during pickups
- maintaining records that include licenses, license plates, DOT numbers, truck numbers, and communication details
According to federal investigators, maintaining detailed documentation can help disrupt ongoing theft schemes and support investigations if freight is stolen.
Companies that believe they were targeted are encouraged to file reports with local law enforcement and submit complaints through the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov or through a local FBI field office.
The Truck Drivers USA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering industry topics, job trends, and real-world decisions that impact drivers at every stage of their careers. Each article is written to provide clear, accurate information that drivers can use.
Last updated: May 11, 2026
