Organized cargo theft is evolving, with criminal networks now focusing on high-value shipments and using advanced methods to outsmart logistics security systems. According to CargoNet’s Q3 2025 cargo theft report, total theft events across the U.S. and Canada remained steady, but the financial losses soared to $111.9 million, making it one of the most expensive quarters ever recorded.
Organized Crime Adapts and Refines Tactics
CargoNet, a division of Verisk specializing in cargo theft prevention, found that thieves are shifting away from complex fraud schemes and focusing instead on more direct, opportunistic thefts.
Key developments include:
- Simpler thefts of unattended loaded trailers, particularly in regions like Southern California, Phoenix, and the Bay Area.
- Advanced social engineering attacks, where criminals impersonate logistics employees to reroute freight.
- Increased use of public load board and logistics data to research valuable shipments.
Keith Lewis, CargoNet’s vice president of operations, said these organized groups are now capable of mimicking legitimate business interactions. By exploiting small information gaps, they can redirect shipments before carriers even know something is wrong.
CargoNet expects these cyber-assisted tactics to increase through the fourth quarter, especially during the holiday shipping season when freight volume spikes.
Theft Volume Flat, But Losses Skyrocket
While total thefts remained stable, the average loss per incident doubled year-over-year.
- 772 thefts were recorded in Q3 2025 — up 1% from last year, but down 10% from the previous quarter.
- The average value of a stolen load rose to $336,787, compared to $168,448 in Q3 2024.
- High-value items such as computer servers, copper, and cryptocurrency mining equipment accounted for most of the losses.
This shift shows that thieves are targeting fewer shipments but going after higher-value freight, making each incident more costly for carriers and insurers.
Regional Hotspots: Expanding Beyond the West
Although California and Texas remain at the top of the list for theft activity, new data shows East Coast markets are emerging as major theft hubs.
- New Jersey cargo thefts jumped 110% year-over-year.
- Pennsylvania thefts rose 33%.
- The New York City metro area has become a major redistribution hub for stolen goods due to its proximity to ports and consumer markets.
- Increased thefts were also reported along Mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes freight corridors.
Top Targeted Commodities
Criminal groups are strategically focusing on goods that are easy to resell or disguise:
- Food and beverages: 170 thefts (most common category).
- Household goods: 92 thefts.
- Metals: 65 thefts, including a nearly fivefold rise in copper thefts.
- Meat and seafood: 189% increase year-over-year.
- High-tech goods: enterprise servers and crypto equipment among top targets.
- Toys and games: small seasonal rise ahead of the holidays.
What the Data Means for the Supply Chain
CargoNet’s findings highlight a growing trend toward intelligence-driven cargo theft, where criminal rings research, plan, and execute thefts with precision.
Lewis emphasized that the industry must respond by strengthening information security, vetting processes, and data-sharing partnerships. Enhanced collaboration between fleets, brokers, and law enforcement is becoming essential to combat this new wave of theft.
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