Warehouses were the most common locations targeted by criminals in Europe last year, but technologically sophisticated crime is also on the rise, according to a new report.
Stealing goods from poorly secured warehouses accounted for 41% of recorded incidents, with thefts at rest areas, parking lots and unsecured roadside locations also making up a significant portion of the criminal activity, writes Chris Tindall.
BSI Consulting and insurer TT Club’s report also found that on a global scale, food and beverages were the most frequently stolen items in 2024; 76% of incidents involving thefts from trucks, including 21% hijackings and 20% theft from vehicles.
The cargo theft report said there had also been an increase in strategic crime, where deception, fraud and advanced planning had been utilised.
Germany, the UK, Italy, Spain and France experienced the highest rates of theft.
Credit fraud is also on the up. Freight forwarders are being conned by criminals into granting extended credit on international shipments and leaving them with significant carrier costs.
TT Club said credit fraud had become prevalent over the last 12 months and it urged companies to do their due diligence and avoid offering extended credit until a relationship with a new client had been properly established.
TT Club’s logistics risk manager Josh Finch described a scenario in which a new customer approached a freight forwarder with a single international shipment.
A rate is agreed and a 60-day credit facility arranged. The shipment is completed without incident and the freight account is settled.
More consignments follow, but the ‘sting’ is put into place as these shipments become more urgent and volumes increase before communications go unanswered, the credit period expires and the account goes unsettled, leaving the operator with significant carrier costs and no revenue.
“Credit fraud is an exposure to all in the global supply chain and a danger that ought to be considered through the risk management structure of every business,” Finch said.
“This is primarily a financial risk as operators are left with freight costs that can’t be collected. The losses as a result of such fraud can escalate quickly.”
The British International Freight Association has highlighted characteristics shared by fraudulent customers, which include them wanting only airfreight handled, no customs clearance or delivery at destination required, large volumes of cargo involved, and the customer accepting a quote without negotiation.
