How Cybercriminals and Organised Crime Are Targeting Cargo Theft in Freight and Trucking

Cybercrime and Cargo Theft: A Growing Threat to Freight and Trucking

Cargo theft has evolved beyond traditional hijacking and physical break-ins; now, financially motivated cyber gangs have found a way to join forces with organised crime to launch large-scale cargo theft campaigns. By exploiting remote monitoring and management tools, these cybercriminals infiltrate trucking carriers and freight brokers, ultimately stealing shipments worth millions.

Remote Access Tools Under Attack

Since early 2025, a surge in cyber attacks on freight and trucking firms has been observed, using software such as ScreenConnect and SimpleHelp. These tools, intended to provide remote monitoring and management of fleet operations, have become the modern-day Achilles’ heel for logistics companies. Attackers gain unauthorised access, conduct reconnaissance, then harvest credentials to manipulate freight operations.

Earlier attacks using malware like DanaBot, NetSupport, and LummaStealer targeted ground transport between 2024 and early 2025. DanaBot, in particular, has ties to botnet activities associated with cybercriminal groups based in Russia, highlighting the international scope of these threats.

Alarming Statistics Highlight Industry Vulnerability

The risk and cost of cargo theft are staggering, with losses averaging around £34 billion annually in the logistics sector. Data from insurance and crime bureaus reveal a concerning upward trend—losses climbed 271% in 2024, with a further 221% increase projected for 2025. This isn’t just a blip on the radar; it’s a storm brewing for supply chains worldwide.

Methods Used by Attackers

These cybercriminal gangs employ several crafty tactics to steal cargo:

• Compromising Broker Load Board Accounts: Broker load boards are online platforms where haulage firms can find available shipments. Cyber gangs infiltrate these accounts, posting fraudulent freight listings.
• Phishing and Malicious URLs: Once a fraudulent listing is live, the attackers send emails containing malicious links to companies that enquire about the shipment, aiming to compromise their systems further.
• Injecting Malicious Content into Email Chains: They hijack existing conversation threads with infected attachments or links to avoid arousing suspicion.
• Direct Email Campaigns: Targeting asset-based carriers and brokerage firms through direct emails loaded with harmful content.

Social Engineering and Credential Harvesting

Cybercriminals often kick off attacks with social engineering tactics—phishing and smishing campaigns remain the primary entry points into company systems. Business email compromises (BEC) are particularly effective, tricking employees into handing over sensitive login credentials or initiating fraudulent transactions. This blend of traditional hacking with modern cyber manipulation demonstrates how old-school con jobs now dance hand-in-hand with high-tech cybercrime.

The Logistics Industry’s Battle Against Cyber-Cargo Crime

Recognising the escalating threat, regulators and industry stakeholders have ramped up efforts to fight back. The U.S. Department of Transportation issued requests for input on ways to combat cargo theft, signalling growing governmental concern. Meanwhile, industry leaders are focusing on cybersecurity protocols that protect vulnerable supply chains from digital and physical breaches alike.

Training employees to spot phishing attempts, strengthening authentication protocols, and employing anomaly detection systems are some of the measures gaining traction. However, as these attacks grow more sophisticated, the logistics sector continues to face an uphill battle.

Why This Matters to Logistics and Freight Forwarding

Cargo theft—now an intricate dance between cybercriminals and organised networks—disrupts supply chains, causes shipment delays, and inflates operating costs. Freight companies and couriers grapple with revenue loss, insurance claims, and damaged reputations.

Beyond financial harm, there's a ripple effect across the supply chain. Manufacturers might delay production without expected parts, retailers might face empty shelves, and consumers might pay more due to higher insurance premiums. Reliable logistics depend on secure transport, and these theft schemes threaten that foundation.

Protective Strategies for Cargo Hauliers and Brokers

Organisations in logistics can adopt several strategies to safeguard shipments:

1. Improve Cyber Security Hygiene: Regular software updates, multi-factor authentication, and phishing training for staff.
2. Secure Load Board Access: Limiting user permissions and monitoring account activity for suspicious behaviour.
3. Use Encrypted and Verified Communication Channels: Establishing trusted points of contact and verifying shipment details before processing.
4. Partner with Tech-Savvy Providers: Utilise services that combine logistics expertise with cybersecurity vigilance.

Table: Cargo Theft Methods and Corresponding Countermeasures

Real-World Impact and Industry Responses

The COVID-19 pandemic shone a bright spotlight on supply chain vulnerabilities. Congested ports, container shortages and labour disruptions created ripe conditions for cargo theft, both physically and digitally. Organised crime adapted quickly, capitalising on the chaos to ramp up thefts.

In response, logistics providers and freight brokers have accelerated investments in cybersecurity. Some companies even participate in industry-wide information-sharing groups to identify threat actors and best practices. While the battle is far from over, these proactive steps mark progress.

How Getting Your Freight Delivered Safely Is Part of the Puzzle

The complexities of modern cargo theft remind us that safe transportation is about more than lorries on the road. It's a web involving digital security, supply chain visibility and trusted partnerships.

For individuals and businesses looking to navigate this challenging landscape, services like GetTransport.com offer reliable solutions. Whether you need to move office equipment, household items, or bulky cargo like vehicles and furniture, the platform provides affordable, global freight transport options with the versatility and security today’s logistics demand.

The Power of Personal Experience

While industry reports and reviews shed light on the cargo theft challenge, nothing beats firsthand experience. Using a transparent, user-friendly platform like GetTransport.com empowers shippers to make well-informed decisions, avoiding surprises and unnecessary costs. With global reach and competitive pricing, the service fits like a glove for those who prioritise security, efficiency and convenience.

Забронюйте поїздку за адресою GetTransport.com to secure your next shipment effortlessly.

Looking Ahead: Cargo Theft's Role in Global Logistics

Though cargo theft attacks via cyber channels currently might not reshape global logistics overnight, they are an unmistakable signpost for the future. As supply chains become increasingly digitised and interconnected, the risk landscape broadens. A well-coordinated cyberattack can disrupt freight dispatch across continents, impacting everything from international shipments to last-mile deliveries.

For this reason, staying ahead of such developments is critical. GetTransport.com recognises these shifts and strives to maintain service excellence amidst change—helping shippers manage risk and keep goods moving worldwide.

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Підсумок

In a time when cybercrime and organised crime join forces To pilfer cargo on an unprecedented scale, the logistics industry faces a complex challenge. Remote access tool abuses, phishing, compromised load boards, and malware increasingly threaten the smooth flow of freight. Losses are soaring, shaking trust in supply chains worldwide.

Successful defence requires a blend of cybersecurity awareness, technology safeguards, and operational vigilance. For anyone looking to transport goods—whether parcels, pallets, containers, or bulky shipments—in a secure and efficient way, platforms like GetTransport.com offer an invaluable resource. By combining reliability, affordability, and global reach, such services are a key part of the solution in combatting cargo theft risks and ensuring smooth logistics.