High-Value Lobster Shipment Stolen in Massachusetts

A shipment of lobster valued at approximately $400,000 was stolen shortly after leaving a cold-storage warehouse in Taunton, Massachusetts, just before Christmas. This high-value load was destined for Costco stores in Illinois and Minnesota, but it never reached its intended locations.

Criminals Imitate Legitimate Carriers

Dylan Rexing, President and CEO of Rexing Companies, an Indiana-based freight brokerage, reported that the theft involved criminals masquerading as a legitimate trucking company. The group utilized a counterfeit commercial driver’s license, spoofed email addresses, and forged documentation, even going as far as altering the truck’s name to mirror that of a real carrier.

“This theft wasn’t random. It followed a pattern we’re seeing more and more, where criminals impersonate legitimate carriers using spoofed emails and burner phones to hijack high-value freight while it’s in transit,” Rexing stated.

Ongoing Investigation by Authorities

The FBI is currently investigating the case, though no arrests have yet been made. Concerns arose when the truck’s GPS system was manually disabled during transit, raising suspicions about the operation.

Subtle Differences in Communication

Chris Burroughs, President and CEO of the Transportation Intermediaries Association, highlighted a critical detail:

“There was a dash in the email address, that was the only thing that was in addition. Everything else looked exactly the same to the legitimate company. And then this individual came in, took the load, and off they went with it, and who knows where it ends up.”

A Pattern of Theft

Authorities informed Rexing that another seafood shipment was stolen from the same warehouse earlier in December. This suggests that the lobster theft may be part of a broader pattern, rather than an isolated incident.

Broader Implications of Cargo Theft

Rexing noted that losses from such thefts extend beyond just the shipper or broker. Over time, these incidents can lead to increased insurance costs, stricter security requirements, and additional expenses that ripple through the entire supply chain, ultimately affecting consumers.

Rising Concerns in the Logistics Industry

The theft of cargo, especially high-value food shipments, has garnered heightened concern across the logistics industry. Perishable products are particularly attractive to thieves due to their difficulty in tracing and the ease with which they can be resold once they vanish.

As investigations continue, the industry remains vigilant, aiming to bolster security measures against these increasingly sophisticated criminal tactics.