Thieves stole over $100 million in data center freight via GPS spoofing

Investigators report that highway thieves have stolen more than $100 million in data center freight since June by spoofing GPS coordinates and hacking logistics accounts. NBC News cited several industry leaders, consultants, and investigators advising law enforcement who described the sophisticated digital tactics used to rob trucks carrying expensive equipment.

The scheme begins when thieves hack freight brokers' accounts on shipment-listing websites. They post fake shipments to lure real bids from trucking companies. When a company responds, the thieves send a malicious link. Clicking the link allows the thieves to install software that takes control of the victim's account, enabling them to bid on real shipments.

To collect the cargo, the thieves sometimes hire a real delivery driver who is unaware of the scam. In other instances, they use fake driver's licenses to get accomplices hired. In either case, the goods are eventually transferred to a driver working with the thieves to resell the gear. In one of the largest thefts, tracking coordinates were spoofed to prevent digital monitoring of the cargo.