Fake Carrier Caught in Oudenbosch, Raising Concerns about Cargo Theft
A Lithuanian truck driver was arrested near Oudenbosch on December 2nd for attempting to pick up a shipment of goods with fraudulent documentation. The arrest highlights a growing concern within the transport industry regarding the rise of fake carriers and the resulting theft of valuable commodities.
The suspect, a 24-year-old man, had presented himself as a representative of a well-known transport company to a supplier. He had arranged the transport of goods to Germany through a digital freight platform. However, the supplier became suspicious when the driver’s email address differed from the official email address registered with the transport company.
Red Flags Lead to Police Intervention
Acting on their instincts, the supplier reported the situation to the police, suspecting a case of a fake carrier attempting to steal the cargo. “The driver pretends to be an employee of a well-known transport company, but as soon as he has picked up the goods he runs away,” a police spokesperson noted.
Officers from Infrastructure of the National Expertise and Operations Unit swiftly intervened, apprehending the driver and seizing the truck and trailer. It was soon discovered that both the driver’s identification and license were counterfeit, as were the license plates on the vehicle.
Zero Tolerance for Criminal Activity in the Transport Sector
This incident underscores the increasing vulnerability of the global transport sector to criminal exploitation. “This form of undermining crime is a major problem in the transport sector. This is how large amounts of goods are stolen,” emphasized a police representative.
The Netherlands, being a significant transport hub, faces this challenge head-on. As one government, authorities are actively collaborating with the transport industry to combat and prevent organized crime within the sector. This collaborative effort falls under the banner of the Transport Facilitated Organized Crime (TFOC) program, part of the National Expertise and Operations of the police.
Empowering the Industry Against Criminal Interference
A key emphasis of the TFOC approach is empowering drivers, entrepreneurs, and other vulnerable players within the industry to recognize and resist criminal interference. “Empowering drivers, entrepreneurs and other vulnerable players in the industry against criminal interference is an important spearhead in the TFOC approach. In this way, the police hope to increase the resilience of these groups,” the spokesperson explained.
The arrested driver was sentenced to 8 weeks imprisonment, with 6 weeks suspended, and a two-year probation period. The truck and trailer used in the attempted theft were confiscated.
What are some warning signs that shippers and receivers should look out for to identify “fake carriers”?
## Interview: Cargo Theft on the Rise
**Interviewer:** Welcome to the show today. Joining us is Scott Cornell, Transportation Lead and Crime and Theft Specialist at Travelers, to discuss the alarming increase in cargo theft. Scott, thanks for being here.
**Scott Cornell:** Thanks for having me.
**Interviewer:** Recent news out of Oudenbosch, Netherlands, involved the arrest of a Lithuanian truck driver posing as a representative of a legitimate carrier. This highlights a disturbing trend we’re seeing in the industry. Can you elaborate on this issue of “fake carriers”?
**Scott Cornell:** Absolutely. [[1](https://www.freightwaves.com/news/strategic-cargo-theft-costing-carriers-brokers-millions-in-freight-in-q1)] What we’re witnessing is a sharp rise in highly organized criminal enterprises impersonating legitimate carriers and brokers. These criminals create fake identities, websites, and even social media profiles to appear genuine. Their objective is to steal loads for a quick profit.
**Interviewer:** How prevalent is this issue?
**Scott Cornell:** It’s reaching alarming levels. In the first quarter of this year alone, we saw millions of dollars in losses due to this type of strategic cargo theft
**Interviewer:** So, what red flags should shippers and receivers be looking out for?
**Scott Cornell:** There are several warning signs. Be wary of unfamiliar carriers, particularly those with very low rates. Always verify contact information, email addresses, and company details against official records. Cross-check information provided by the carrier against reputable industry directories.
**Interviewer:** What advice would you give to shippers and logistic companies to mitigate their risk?
**Scott Cornell:** Implement strong due diligence procedures. Verify carrier credentials meticulously. Utilize technology solutions that can flag suspicious activity and track shipments in real time. Communicate and collaborate with partners and law enforcement agencies to share information and report any suspected fraudulent activity.
**Interviewer:** Scott, this is incredibly valuable information. Thank you for shedding light on this serious issue and providing practical advice to our viewers.
**Scott Cornell:** My pleasure. Remember, awareness and proactive measures are key to combating cargo theft.
