The FBI warns of a surge in cyber-enabled cargo theft where hackers compromise broker accounts and trucking load boards to steal high-value shipments worth over 00 million in 2025.
The FBI has issued a new alert warning of a surge in cyber-enabled cargo theft, with hackers targeting both brokers and carriers in sophisticated attacks. Cargo theft caused more than $700 million in losses in 2025, a 60% increase over 2024, driven by criminal gangs targeting high-value goods. According to the FBI, cyber-enabled cargo theft has been observed since at least 2024, with threat actors using fake emails, phishing sites, malware, and remote management software.
In a typical attack scenario, an email is sent to a shipping broker containing links to malicious websites that serve malware and remote access tools, giving attackers complete control over the targeted company’s internal systems. Attackers also abuse trucking load boards where companies post available freight. Compromised broker accounts are used to post fake listings to lure legitimate carriers, tricking them into downloading malware that gives the attackers access to their systems.
The hackers then use stolen carrier identities to bid on real, high-value shipments. To appear legitimate, they even hack into federal databases to update insurance information and contact details. Once the thieves win a contract, they perform an illegal double-brokering maneuver, hiring a different unsuspecting driver to pick up the goods. The obtained loads are cross-docked to be sold on the black market, and in some cases, the thieves hold the cargo for ransom.
The FBI has shared indicators companies can use to detect targeting, including suspicious email addresses, requests to download documents via shortened links, and unauthorized email forwarding rules.
Source: SecurityWeek — FBI Warns of Surge in Hacker-Enabled Cargo Theft
