{
  "id": 9803454,
  "title": "FBI’s Memphis Cargo Theft Task Force warns cyber schemes put millions in freight at risk",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/fbis-memphis-cargo-theft-task-force-warns-cyber-schemes-put-millions",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-25T17:44:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "FreightWaves",
    "slug": "freightwaves",
    "url": "https://www.freightwaves.com/news/fbis-memphis-cargo-theft-task-force-warns-cyber-schemes-put-millions-in-freight-at-risk"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The FBI’s Memphis Cargo Theft Task Force has been investigating major freight crimes for nearly two decades. Initially focusing on warehouses, tractor-trailers, chop shops and organized theft rings, the unit’s tactics have evolved with modern crime methods. Today, the team deals with sophisticated cyber schemes that target millions of dollars in merchandise before it reaches a dock. The mission began as the Auto Cargo Theft Task Force in 2008, later becoming the Memphis Cargo Theft Task Force and now includes the FBI, Memphis Police Department, and Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. The group coordinates with other federal, state, and local partners to combat major theft affecting interstate commerce.\n\nFBI Agent Jeremy Baker, overseeing the task force, has observed the shift from traditional theft methods to cyber-enabled schemes. Modern thieves research their targets before committing crimes, using computer intrusions and social engineering to obtain sensitive information about valuable shipments. This knowledge allows them to identify high-value freight and plan the theft before the truck arrives at its destination. By the time the legitimate carrier arrives, the fraud is already complete, and the criminals have driven away with stolen goods worth millions. Baker emphasized that the industry’s cybersecurity defenses must be significantly improved to combat these threats.\n\nVulnerabilities can also occur at various points within the supply chain, including between brokers, carriers, and shipping facilities. Each party may assume another has performed necessary security checks, creating opportunities for criminals to impersonate legitimate parties and gain access to shipments. Preventive measures, such as verifying identities and transactions multiple times, can help mitigate these risks. Baker stressed the importance of verifying every step of the process and noted that training employees to recognize suspicious activities can significantly reduce the incidence of cargo theft. The National Motor Freight Traffic Association is one of the cybersecurity awareness partners supporting the task force in these efforts.",
  "summary": "Criminals can know exactly what freight they want before arriving for pickup. The FBI’s Memphis Cargo Theft Task Force says cyber-enabled schemes are changing how thieves target shipments. The post FBI’s Memphis Cargo Theft Task Force warns cyber schemes put millions in freight at risk appeared first on FreightWaves .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}