The emergence of tech-savvy cargo thieves in the trucking industry

In the spring of last year, Peel police Det. Mark Haywood led a team in executing a search warrant on a property just west of Toronto. What they found was quite significant - a semi-trailer packed with brand new snowmobiles.

Each Ski-Doo was valued at around $24,000, making it a substantial recovery for the team. This operation was part of a larger investigation dubbed Project Big Rig, which resulted in the apprehension of 15 suspects and the retrieval of 28 trailers filled with a diverse range of items totaling $7 million in value. From chicken to televisions to Sleeman beer, the stolen goods painted a picture of the lucrative nature of cargo theft.

Detective Haywood emphasized that cargo theft is a growing problem. The rising cost of living has led to an increase in demand for stolen products, fueling this unlawful business. The sophistication of tactics employed by criminals has also evolved, with a shift towards more digitally savvy methods that involve identity theft and hacking techniques.

According to data from Verisk’s CargoNet, the number of cargo theft incidents in Canada and the United States saw a 59% increase last year. This followed a 15% rise in the previous year and a 20% jump in the year before that. The trend indicates a concerning pattern of escalation in freight crime.

While traditional methods of theft such as cutting fences at freight yards and stealing vehicles at truck stops are still prevalent, they are now often supported by information obtained from online platforms like load boards. Hackers utilize phishing scams and tracking devices like Apple AirTags to gather inside information about shipments, making their operations more precise and targeted. Danish Yusuf, CEO of Zensurance, highlighted the low cost associated with hacking systems and the increasing popularity of these methods.

Digital hacks and strategic theft tactics, where criminals manipulate shippers into surrendering their goods, are becoming more common in the world of cargo theft. One such tactic involves identity theft, where thieves use forged documents to pose as legitimate carriers in order to transport valuable shipments at rock-bottom prices. This fraudulent behavior raises serious concerns about the security of the supply chain and the potential economic impact of such criminal activities.

Fictitious pickups, where thieves use false identification to steal cargo, have seen a startling 600% increase in recent years. These fraudulent activities pose a significant threat to the integrity of the transportation industry and the safety of goods in transit. In Canada, the most sought-after stolen goods include food and beverages, household products, and metals.

The surge in food inflation has led to a spike in demand for meat and other edible items, making them attractive targets for criminals looking to profit from the grey market. The illicit distribution of stolen goods often involves a complex network of retailers, flea markets, and online platforms. To minimize their involvement in the crime, criminal organizations resort to double brokering, where they hire legitimate trucking companies to transport stolen goods across borders.

The total value of stolen freight in Canada and the U.S. reached $449 million last year, marking a significant increase from previous years.

Ontario accounted for a staggering 83% of all cargo theft incidents in Canada, with the Toronto area being a major hotspot for such criminal activities. Despite efforts to combat cargo theft, experts believe that many incidents go unreported due to concerns about reputation and insurance repercussions. The evolving nature of cargo theft, with its reliance on technology and sophisticated tactics, poses a formidable challenge to law enforcement agencies and the industry as a whole.

As the issue continues to escalate, it is essential for stakeholders to collaborate and implement robust security measures to safeguard the supply chain and prevent further losses. The fight against cargo theft requires a concerted effort to address the root causes of this criminal activity and protect the integrity of the transportation industry.