Transport fraud is a persistent challenge for the TSL (Transport, Shipping, Logistics) sector. It affects all entities operating in this field – carriers, freight forwarders, shippers, and service providers such as transport exchanges and insurers. Over the years, counterparty verification methods have evolved to enhance security. However, in response, criminals are developing increasingly sophisticated fraudulent techniques, often leveraging advanced digital tools. Awareness of the threat, knowledge of common methods, and the implementation of basic preventive measures are key to combating this type of crime.
Transport Fraud in Logistics – Why the Sector Is Vulnerable
According to Europol (European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation), transport and logistics is one of the three business sectors most vulnerable to crime. Transport fraud – such as establishing fake transport companies or impersonating reputable contractors – is often part of a larger criminal phenomenon, such as cargo theft.
Certain product groups are particularly targeted. Criminals focus primarily on food items, jewelry, precious metals, pharmaceuticals, and electronics. They regularly carry out “thefts to order“. Manufacturing companies and forwarders operating in these areas must exercise extreme caution when planning transport and selecting contractors.
The level of risk also depends on specific markets.
For example, in terms of incidents recorded in November 2025 alone, the top European countries were Germany (206), Italy (80), the United Kingdom (47), Spain (33), France (26), the Netherlands (23), and Romania (14). Romania’s inclusion in this group, for example, has drawn the attention of TAPA (Transported Asset Protection Association).
Regional specifics also shape the nature of these crimes.
In Spain, there are estimates indicating that at least 17% of transport operators have suffered some form of theft; among those cases, incidents involving violence and additional losses (vehicle as well as cargo) have been reported. Regarding the specific issue raised here — “carrier impersonation” — specialized organizations such as TAPA estimate that this represents around 1.5% of cargo theft cases in 2025. The broader cyber/online fraud component is also significant: INCIBE reports that in 2025 it handled 122,223 incidents (a notable +26% increase), and that online fraud (e.g., phishing) exceeded 45,000 cases. Furthermore, in attacks targeting “essential operators,” transport appears as one of the affected sectors, although no further breakdown is available.
Ramón Valdivia, Executive Vice-President of ASTIC and member of the Executive Committee of the Presidency of the International Road Transport Union (IRU)
In Italy, on the other hand, transport and logistics fraud is frequently linked to tax evasion, illegal employment, or unfair competition. Sometimes, these incidents are just the tip of the iceberg, involving organized crime, arson, extortion, threats, and money laundering.
Most Common Transport Fraud Methods
There are several primary methods used by transport fraudsters:
- Obtaining services without the intention to pay.
- Cloning, impersonating legitimate companies.
- Cargo Theft (Fictitious Pickup)
Non-payment Fraud:
| Key Element: | How it works | Red Flags |
| The “Straw man” (Shell Company) Establishing companies using a “straw man” to obtain services without payment. A “straw man” is an individual whose personal data is used to run criminal activities or hide the true owner. They act as a figurehead, signing documents without having any real influence or profit, yet they bear full legal and criminal liability. Often, these are individuals in difficult financial situations. | Short company history or “dormant” companies (registered long ago but without operational history or financial reports). Low share capital. Registered office at a virtual office address. Short-term Trust Building: Initially, the company operates perfectly – it commissions loads, pays early, and requests positive reviews. Once it gains trust and references, it suddenly commissions a massive volume of transport and disappears from the market without paying. | Reluctance to accept transactions within a transport exchange system. Unusually high freight rates.Time pressure and urgency during the booking process. Communication limited strictly to email. An unnaturally high number of positive reviews in a short time, or a complete lack thereof. |
Impersonating Existing Companies (Cloning)
| Key Element: | How it works | Red Flags |
| Email Address Creating an email address nearly identical to that of a reputable company (e.g., office@company-trans.com instead of office@companytrans.com). | This includes stealing data from registers (licenses, policies) and substituting bank account numbers on invoices or orders. | Typos or minor differences between the email and the official company domain. |
Cargo Theft (Fictitious Pickup)
| Key Element: | How it works | Red Flags |
| Substituted Vehicle Fraudsters send their own vehicle for loading using forged documents, a fake driver identity, and counterfeit license plates. | This often involves stealing transport information (e.g., hacking into a TMS). They typically operate during peak loading hours and move the stolen goods to a hiding place on the same day. | Discrepancies in phone numbers between the waybill and the carrier’s website. Truck registration numbers that do not match the documents |
Analysis by: Karol Wojtowski, Debt Collection Field Leader, Pactus
TAPA warns of the high level of sophistication among criminals, especially regarding impersonation. Beyond similar emails, they create nearly identical websites, hack IT systems to gain shipment data, and duplicate transport documents. In some cases, the precision was so high that they even corrected spelling errors found in the original documents.
Forged documents are also used to reroute goods, as seen in Austria, where a fake delivery instruction for copper screws led to a theft worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Fraudsters’ tactics are exceptionally devious. As reported by the BBC in November 2025, some gangs went as far as buying out transport companies to steal entire truckloads of goods, sometimes using the identity of a deceased person.
How to Prevent Transport Fraud
Losses resulting from transport fraud are rarely recovered. Criminals rely on time pressure and the inattention of entrepreneurs. Unfortunately, in court, these factors may not work in the victim’s favor. Therefore, it is essential to implement security protocols:
Thorough Contractor Verification
Verifying a counterparty is an absolute fundamental. It is worth ensuring the accuracy of their email address, for instance, by contacting the relevant public business register for your country. As a next step, you can verify whether the company’s headquarters actually exists (for example, using Google Maps). Industry groups on social media and EU databases such as VIES or EORI can also be helpful in the verification process.
Awareness of who we collaborate with is paramount. Malicious intent is hard to track, so it’s vital to pay attention to details: the quality of communication, document order, and whether the contractor makes excuses when asked for credibility. For larger operations, it is worth implementing ‘spot-check’ calls to verify even the smallest red flags.
Damian Michalecki, Sales Customer Success & Marketing Field Leader, Pactus
Using Trusted Platforms
Fraudsters often prefer telephone contact and concluding agreements outside of transport exchanges to leave no digital trail.
Commencing cooperation solely via email, chat, or SMS—outside a platform—poses a high risk. It is comparable to buying an expensive smartphone on a marketplace and sending money to a stranger; there is no guarantee you won’t receive a “potato” instead of a phone.
Karol Wojtowski, Debt Collection Field Leader, Pactus
This is why it is worth using proven platforms. One of them is Trans.eu, one of the largest verified transport communities in Europe. Companies joining the platform must undergo an authorization process and are subject to constant monitoring. Trans.eu also provides a rating and review system that allows all users to evaluate the quality of their business partners.
As a digital space, the Platform also features advanced tools that enhance security levels. In response to market challenges, it introduces effective solutions, such as SafePay. Every offer carrying the Safe Pay badge guarantees that the carrier will receive payment for the completed order, making them fully resilient to transport fraud.
Read also: Trans.eu guarantees payment for your freight thanks to SafePay
Conducting transactions via Trans.eu provides a safety net in the form of debt collection services (which can also be carried out at the debtor’s expense).
Monitoring and Training
Transport fraud is a matter of such importance that every employee should be made aware of it. In today’s reality, training, particularly in the field of cybersecurity, should be considered essential, and for larger-scale operations, the implementation of tools to prevent hacking attacks is necessary. It is also advisable to consider continuous vehicle monitoring and cargo insurance, especially for goods most vulnerable to theft.
Ramón Valdivia highlights that there are many ways to combat transport fraud. Starting with operational risk-reduction measures, enhanced verification is key: before assigning a shipment, companies should verify the exact corporate name, CIF/VAT number, email domain, independently validated phone number, and bank account details (remaining alert to any IBAN changes).
Anti-impersonation contracting rules are also advisable: no acceptance of destination changes by email alone, dual validation via an alternative channel, maintaining a whitelist of contacts, and automatic “stop” procedures in case of unusual urgency.
“Traceability and evidence systems are equally important (GPS/telematics, geofencing, robust proof of delivery, and documentary control tools such as eCMR or IT systems like ASTIC Digital Corridors©).”
Physical security must not be overlooked: secure parking facilities, stop protocols, seals/locks, and route analysis (particularly relevant for physical theft).
There are also risk-mitigation control services, such as freight platforms/exchanges with verified companies (where real controls and user traceability are applied), and security standards for high-value cargo (e.g., TAPA-type requirements for supply chain and operations when required by the shipper).
In practice, “compensation” usually comes through insurance and contractual mechanisms rather than a specific public scheme. Companies are advised to review coverage (cargo insurance, liability, theft, fraud, subcontracting clauses, exclusions for deception/impersonation, etc.), file immediate complaints, and preserve evidence (emails, headers, logs, contracts, CMR/eCMR, bank documentation). At present, it is not common to speak of a “public fund” specifically compensating logistics fraud; the most effective approach remains prevention + insurance + criminal prosecution.
Ramón Valdivia, Executive Vice-President of ASTIC and member of the Executive Committee of the Presidency of the International Road Transport Union (IRU)
Who Is Most Exposed to Transport Fraud
A frequent point of debate within the industry is which party is more vulnerable to transport fraud. In an interview with trans.info, Piotr Sobala, International Security Area Leader at Trans.eu, suggests that it largely depends on current market conditions. But what is the state of the market today?
In my opinion, the transport business currently offers more room for illegal practices to the ordering party, though this does not exclude carriers. We recently handled a case where a forwarder’s contractor disappeared with goods worth hundreds of thousands, and it turned out the carrier had forged their insurance policy.
Damian Michalecki, Sales Customer Success & Marketing Field Leader, Pactus
Ultimately, everyone in the industry is subject to the constant risk of fraud. Every company should be aware of the threats and implement preventive measures.
Legitimate carriers can suffer loss of freight revenue, immobilizations, reputational damage and, in some cases, loss of the vehicle itself. Their clients — shippers, operators and freight forwarders — can also be affected when they unknowingly contract a “fake” provider (paying the wrong party or losing cargo through diversion).
Drivers can be of course victims as well, particularly in cases involving violence or intimidation. Insurers are impacted too, and by extension the entire supply chain, due to litigation, deductibles and subrogation processes. So the solution is stronger prevention across the supply chain and working in safe environments, with verified partners.
We wrap up this article with a review of the key information shared and ways you can further safeguard your transport operations.
FAQ: Transport Fraud in Logistics
What is transport fraud in the logistics industry?
Transport fraud refers to criminal activities aimed at illegally obtaining cargo, payments, or transport services within the TSL sector. Common examples include fake transport companies, carrier impersonation, fictitious pickups, and non-payment scams. Fraudsters often use cloned emails, forged documents, and stolen shipment data to deceive carriers, forwarders, and shippers.
How can carriers and freight forwarders recognize transport fraud?
Companies can often detect transport fraud by identifying common warning signs such as email domains that differ slightly from official company addresses, unusually high freight rates, urgent last-minute bookings, or newly registered companies requesting large transport volumes. Verifying company data, contact numbers, and transport documents can help detect suspicious activity early.
What are the most effective ways to prevent transport fraud?
The best way to prevent transport fraud is through strong verification procedures and secure cooperation tools. Companies should verify contractors through business registers and databases like VIES or EORI, confirm company contact details, train employees in cybersecurity awareness, and use GPS tracking, cargo insurance, and secure digital documentation.
How do platforms like Trans.eu help prevent transport fraud?
Platforms such as Trans.eu help reduce transport fraud by creating a verified digital environment for logistics companies. Businesses joining the platform undergo an authorization process and are continuously monitored. Features such as company ratings, secure communication, and payment protection tools like SafePay significantly reduce the risk of fraud and cargo theft.
Curious to find out how our platform can support your safety?
