According to a recent report by splash247, the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) and the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) EMEA are calling attention to the escalating levels of cargo theft and freight fraud worldwide. Steep increases have been registered across Europe, the Americas, and Africa. Regions such as Latin America and parts of Africa continue to experience severe and often violent attacks.
TAPA’s intelligence system recorded nearly 160,000 cargo-related crimes in 129 countries between 2022 and 2024, representing losses of several billion euros. In North America, reported losses reached USD 455 million in 2024. There were more than 3,600 incidents and an average loss exceeding USD 202,000 per case. Across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, over 108,000 thefts were reported during the same period.
According to warnings from IUMI and TAPA, physical cargo theft has shifted to organized online fraud. Criminal groups are deploying increasingly sophisticated tactics to exploit vulnerabilities across transport networks. They are using digital tools, including artificial intelligence, to mask identities, impersonate legitimate carriers, and scale their operations without detection.
IUMI and TAPA also report a significant increase in fraudulent carriers securing legitimate freight contracts under false identities. Shell companies, stolen credentials, hijacked business profiles, and forged documentation allow criminals to collect shipments while posing as legitimate operators. The report explained: “Once they [the criminals] have taken charge of the goods with the intent to steal them, the contract is not fulfilled. The consignment does not reach its intended recipient and is instead resold elsewhere.”
TAPA EMEA President & CEO Thorsten Neumann said criminals are also using low-tech yet effective deception methods, such as forged email addresses, look-alike domains, and falsified insurance documents. Account compromise through phishing and compromised credentials, such as reused passwords, remains a significant vulnerability.
Regarding the risk across North American supply chains, a report by American Shipper said that insider involvement and fragmented data systems across trucking, rail, and port operations also enable theft during handovers.
Both IUMI and TAPA warn that AI-driven cargo crime, while still emerging, will significantly accelerate fraudulent activities. “Our concern is that artificial intelligence will accelerate these activities, making deception easier to scale and significantly driving up losses,” Neumann said.
IUMI and TAPA EMEA say that in Europe and North America, fraudulent carriers dominate headlines, but violent theft is still rampant in other regions. Hijackings account for many cargo theft incidents, with hotspots in Brazil, South Africa, and parts of Europe.
Beyond financial loss, IUMI also said the greatest long-term damage is often to a company’s reputation as a trusted supply chain partner.
Source: splash247, IUMI, TAPA, American Shipper