A new wave of organized crime maneuvers is taking aim at online freight marketplaces to make off with high-value cargo while items are in transit.

Since 2020, both freight companies and law enforcement have seen an alarming uptick in criminal groups utilizing remote, online methods to hijack cargo deliveries and make off with valuable loot.

 the bad guys are using the internet to steal cargo nationwide, with over $318 million in losses stemming from stolen goods being recorded, according to data released by Verisk CargoNet. Additionally, data indicates the average value of the stolen shipments has risen to $278,797.

Cybercriminals will often turn to online load boards – an online marketplace in which companies and truck drivers can share details regarding upcoming shipments – to determine which vehicles they want to target. 

From there, criminals will create an online account and impersonate a truck driver or company to gain more information about a shipment. 

Additionally, companies are now using artificial intelligence to screen cargo and drivers, ultimately making it even easier for hackers to fool the software into thinking they are a legitimate individual in the supply chain. 

Once criminals have identified the contents and location of a specific cargo truck, they will then intercept the unmarked vehicle with fake identification to fool the driver into handing over their items.

 "The bad guys have set up a supply chain that's somewhat legitimate overseas," Lewis said. "When they get across the [ocean] with these goods, they're not stolen anymore. There's no tracking. They can move them freely around their country and around the world with no hesitation."

https://www.foxnews.com/us/crime-rings-hackers-join-forces-hijack-trucks-nationwide-fueling-major-holiday-shipping-security-fears