Fraudulent Trucking Firm Steals $400K of Lobster Meant for Midwest Costco
Recent incidents in New England highlight a troubling trend in cargo theft, particularly in the seafood industry. A fraudulent trucking operation managed to steal $400,000 worth of lobster intended for Costco stores in the Midwest.
Key Theft Incidents in New England
Three thefts of seafood transpired in quick succession, raising concerns among local businesses. The first incident occurred on November 22 in Falmouth, Maine. Here, 14 cages filled with full-grown oysters were stolen from an aquaculture site in Casco Bay. The value of the stolen oysters was estimated at $20,000.
Marine Patrol Sgt. Matthew Sinclair described this event as devastating for the affected small businesses in the area.
Crab and Lobster Heists in Massachusetts
The following thefts took place in Taunton, Massachusetts, approximately 160 miles from the initial incident. On December 2, a load of crab was reported missing after exiting the Lineage Logistics warehouse. Days later, on December 12, a shipment of lobster, destined for Costco locations in Illinois and Minnesota, was taken by a fraudulent trucking firm. This theft was executed through a cunning impersonation scheme.
Dylan Rexing, CEO of Rexing Companies, provided details on the operation, stating that the fake carrier utilized a spoofed email address and altered the truck’s exterior. They even created a counterfeit driver’s license, indicating a well-planned heist.
Widespread Implications of Seafood Theft
While officials from Lineage Logistics and Costco did not comment on the incidents, it was noted that the police had informed Rexing about the crab theft from the same warehouse. Rexing pointed out that this type of cargo theft is an ongoing issue that has been escalating over the years.
- Over a decade of increasing freight theft incidents.
- Impersonation of legitimate trucking firms is a common tactic.
- Strategic theft also involves phishing emails to access payment systems.
Chris Burroughs, president and CEO of the Transportation Intermediaries Association, described cargo theft as a growing problem that requires urgent attention. The seafood theft, particularly the lobster, is particularly concerning due to its short shelf life. It is likely that the stolen lobster ended up being served in restaurants shortly after the theft.
Rexing concluded by emphasizing that the ramifications of such thefts extend beyond the seafood industry. He noted that thefts also affect other industries, leading to increased costs for consumers.
As these incidents become more common, stakeholders in the freight and seafood industries must work together to combat this serious issue.
