Why insider cargo theft and fraud cases are rising in North America
Cargo theft across North America rose by 13% in the second quarter of 2025, revealing ongoing vulnerabilities in freight security despite growing awareness. According to recent data from BSI and TT Club, most incidents involved surface transport, especially tractor-trailers. These accounted for nearly 85% of reported thefts across the region.
Mexico reported the highest volume of cases, with 63% of all incidents, followed by the United States at 32% and Canada at 3%. These figures suggest that deterrence strategies remain ineffective in high-traffic logistics zones.
The increase in cargo theft is not limited to traditional hijackings or random losses. It reflects a deeper shift in how cargo crime is executed, driven by digital deception, fraudulent credentials, and internal collusion.
Strategic crime and insider involvement redefine the threat landscape
One of the most notable developments in Q2 was the expansion of strategic cargo crime, a category that now includes identity fraud, impersonation, and advanced document manipulation. In the United States, nearly 18% of all reported thefts involved this type of deception.
In these cases, bad actors pose as legitimate freight providers, using altered or entirely fabricated paperwork. The rise of AI has enabled this trend, making it easier to produce convincing falsified credentials and bills of lading.
Insider threats are compounding the issue. In the United States, insiders were involved in nearly one-third of thefts, while in Mexico, that figure exceeded 60%. When internal knowledge is paired with external criminal planning, the result is a more sophisticated and harder-to-detect threat.
These developments suggest that security models must evolve. Cybersecurity, verification processes, and carrier authentication are becoming just as important as physical cargo protection.
What’s getting stolen
Food and beverage products remain the top target, accounting for roughly 23% of thefts in the second quarter. Their ease of resale and lack of unique identifiers make them attractive to organized theft groups. Agricultural goods followed closely at 15%, with electronics and automotive parts each making up 9% of cases.
The targeted commodities often mirror seasonal or market demand. For example, thefts involving agricultural inputs increased during planting periods, while consumer electronics thefts rose ahead of mid-year retail cycles.
High-value shipments that are difficult to trace are at the highest risk. Criminal organizations have been known to dismantle and repackage stolen goods quickly, enabling them to move items through informal markets or resell through third-party platforms.
Where the thefts are concentrated
Within the United States, California, Texas, and Georgia continued to report the highest numbers of cargo theft incidents. These three states accounted for nearly half of all cases, with metropolitan centers like Los Angeles, Miami, and Chicago consistently appearing as key hotspots.
In Mexico, transit routes between production centers and shipping ports saw repeated incidents, particularly in states like Jalisco and Puebla. Rail cargo is increasingly affected, especially in the Midwest. Thieves often disable portions of freight trains to access unattended cargo, a tactic that has gained momentum in the past year.
Canada saw fewer cases overall but experienced isolated spikes in Ontario and Alberta. These incidents often involved high-value goods and were linked to organized retail theft networks.
The geographic spread of incidents suggests that cargo crime is no longer confined to urban hubs. Logistics companies are now being forced to assess threats along full route corridors, including rural stops and cross-border points.
Regulatory responses and industry countermeasures are gaining ground
In response to these challenges, several legislative efforts have been launched. The Safeguarding Our Supply Chains Act, introduced in 2024, aims to create a centralized task force to address theft across interstate and international supply chains. The bill also proposes new funding to improve data collection and interagency coordination.
Additional measures under review include the Household Goods Shipping Consumer Protection Act and the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act. These proposals focus on tightening regulations, increasing penalties for fraud, and addressing technological loopholes in shipping documentation.
Industry leaders are not waiting for legislation. Many freight and logistics companies have adopted proactive solutions such as tamper-evident seals, GPS tracking, and dynamic routing systems. These tools allow real-time monitoring and trigger alerts for unauthorized activity, route deviations, or unexpected stops.
Vetting processes for carriers are also improving. Shippers are now using third-party verification tools to ensure the identity and legitimacy of partners, reducing exposure to fraudulent pickups.
Internal safeguards are evolving as well. Employee access controls, background checks, and training programs focused on cyber risks are becoming standard. Companies are beginning to view security as an integrated strategy rather than a series of reactive steps.
Sources:
DC Velocity