FBI warns of $725 M surge in cyber‑enabled cargo theft

The FBI has issued a public alert about a sharp rise in cyber‑enabled cargo theft targeting transportation and logistics firms in the United States and Canada. The agency estimates that losses reached nearly $725 million in 2025, a 60 % increase from the prior year, with an 18 % rise in confirmed incidents and an average theft value of $273,990.

Criminal groups use phishing, spoofed emails and fake websites to compromise broker and carrier accounts, then exploit online load‑board platforms to post fraudulent shipment listings. After gaining access, they double‑broker real loads, alter bills of lading and reroute cargo to unauthorized destinations, often involving complicit drivers. In some cases, ransom is demanded for the cargo’s location.

The FBI advises companies to verify shipment requests through multiple channels, implement multi‑layer verification, avoid clicking suspicious links, and maintain detailed records of drivers, vehicles and communications to support investigations.