A new report from cybersecurity firm Proofpoint Inc. reveals that hackers and organized crime rings are teaming up to steal and resell cargo shipments, posing a major threat to the trucking and freight industry. The research warns that these cyber-enabled heists could cost companies and consumers billions of dollars each year as criminals exploit weaknesses in supply chain systems.
Cybercriminals Target Trucking Carriers and Freight Brokers
Proofpoint, based in Sunnyvale, California, says it has “high confidence” that hackers are working directly with organized crime groups to infiltrate trucking carriers and freight brokers.
Key findings from the report include:
- Hackers infect business networks with remote access software, giving them full control over systems.
- Once inside, they hijack shipments, redirecting valuable cargo to criminal partners.
- Stolen goods are then sold online or exported overseas for resale.
Proofpoint analyst Selena Larson described the scheme as a “full-scale supply chain threat.” The cyberattacks ripple through every stage — from ports and shipping lines to warehouses, trucking fleets, and ultimately consumers.
A Growing and Costly Crime Wave
Cargo theft is not new, but these digital tactics are escalating the problem. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau:
- Cargo theft losses hit $35 billion annually.
- Losses rose 27% in 2024 and are projected to climb another 22% in 2025.
- Criminals steal everything from electronics and appliances to food and beverages.
Larson and fellow Proofpoint researcher Ole Villadsen first identified the hacker-linked theft trend in 2024. Since then, they’ve observed three active criminal groups and nearly two dozen campaigns in just the last few months.
How the Cyber Cargo Thefts Work
The attacks often begin with social engineering — tricking victims into trusting fake communications that appear legitimate. Hackers frequently exploit load boards, the online marketplaces where carriers book freight.
Here’s how a typical attack happens:
- Hackers post a fraudulent load listing on a load board.
- A carrier responds to the ad and receives a fake “setup packet” email from what looks like a real broker.
- The email includes a malicious link that installs remote access software on the carrier’s network.
- Criminals then use that access to reroute or steal the cargo shipment.
Villadsen explained that dispatchers, eager to secure loads quickly, often click links without verifying the sender because of the industry’s fast-paced environment.
The Most Targeted Commodities
Proofpoint found that the most commonly stolen goods include:
- Food and beverages (especially energy drinks, which are often resold overseas).
- Electronics and consumer goods, due to their high resale value.
- Household items and industrial materials, which are easy to move through black markets.
Researchers believe many of the hackers are operating from Russia or Eastern Europe, working hand-in-hand with global smuggling networks.
The Marriage of Cybercrime and Organized Crime
Villadsen describes these incidents as “a marriage of cybercrime and organized crime.” The hackers provide digital access and data, while the crime rings handle the physical theft and resale of the cargo.
The result is a globalized cargo theft ecosystem that is harder than ever for law enforcement to dismantle — one that blends traditional theft tactics with modern cyberattacks to exploit every link in the supply chain.
Source:
Leave a Comment