Imagine a hardworking business, a lucrative order, and what appears to be a flawless transaction—only to discover it was an elaborate scam. The goods vanish, trust evaporates, and the financial losses are staggering. This is not a hypothetical scenario but a grim reality in the U.S. trucking industry, where cargo theft now costs nearly $1 billion annually. The recent case of Galleria Tile, a San Francisco-based company that lost $200,000 in a sophisticated fraud scheme, is a stark reminder of this growing crisis.
Case Study: A Masterfully Executed Heist
Galleria Tile, a small business with three employees and monthly sales of about $150,000, fell victim to a meticulously planned cargo theft. Posing as procurement officers from the global engineering giant AECOM, fraudsters used forged documents, a fake logistics company, and a "Net-30" payment term to swindle two shipments of high-value tiles and PVC flooring.
The scammers provided seemingly impeccable paperwork, including fabricated W-9 forms and credit references, and even arranged counterfeit logistics. Claudia Visona, Galleria Tile’s owner, recounted verifying every detail, even finding LinkedIn profiles for the supposed AECOM employees. The website they provided appeared legitimate, with no obvious red flags.
The fraud began with an urgent order for 25,000 square feet of porcelain tiles, destined for a warehouse in Baltimore. Though wary, Visona’s online checks yielded no inconsistencies. Suspicion grew when she noticed anomalies in the phone system and hired a private investigator. The investigator observed multiple trucks delivering goods to the same warehouse, all claiming to work for AECOM. Yet, attempts to confirm this with AECOM’s actual Baltimore office failed.
Despite her doubts, the fraudsters placed a second order—41,000 square feet of premium PVC flooring—promising payment after delivery. "That’s when the scheme unraveled," Visona said. She realized the voice on the phone didn’t match the LinkedIn profile, confirming the scam.
Devastating Fallout: Financial and Emotional Toll
The stolen goods totaled $174,000—a crushing blow for a small business. "But the loss goes beyond money," Visona said. "I’ve lost trust in everyone. This shattered my faith in systems I was taught to rely on. When I needed help, they weren’t there."
The incident left her grappling with profound distrust, affecting her business decisions and personal interactions. The financial strain also threatened Galleria Tile’s survival.
Cargo Theft: A Surging Industry Crisis
Galleria Tile’s ordeal reflects a broader trend. Supply chain security firm Overhaul reports a 29% spike in U.S. cargo theft in Q3 2025, with electronics and food/beverages as prime targets. CargoNet’s data shows thefts remain high, increasingly targeting high-value goods.
Danny Ramon, Overhaul’s head of intelligence, notes that cargo theft has evolved from traditional hijackings to digital, systemic fraud—often leveraging AI, social engineering, and online resale channels. "Criminals don’t even need physical contact with goods," Ramon said. "They’ve minimized risk while scaling operations, sometimes executing multiple thefts daily."
Organized networks now use AI-generated voices and fake carrier profiles to bypass verification, making theft harder to detect.
Self-Defense Strategies for Businesses
After reporting the crime to multiple agencies with little response, Visona’s investigator traced the fraud to a suspect linked to a large East Coast theft ring. A break came when another victim spotted suspects unloading goods in Baltimore, prompting FBI involvement. The FBI revealed the case involves hundreds of victims and millions in losses, with federal charges filed.
The ring used public warehouses, fake logistics firms, and stolen identities to move goods like appliances and construction materials for resale or export. "They grew so bold, they barely hid," Visona said. "Their digital footprints were everywhere."
Experts warn that "contactless" theft—using forged documents and identity fraud—is among the fastest-growing cargo crimes, exacerbated by lax verification and extended payment terms.
Key precautions for businesses:
- Enhanced verification: Thoroughly vet new clients, using third-party checks for credentials and credit history.
- Site visits: Inspect offices or warehouses when possible to assess legitimacy.
- Shorter payment terms: Reduce exposure by limiting credit periods or requiring guarantees.
- Cargo insurance: Invest in policies covering theft, reviewing terms carefully.
- Real-time tracking: Partner with reputable logistics providers offering shipment monitoring.
- Risk alerts: Implement systems to flag unusual orders (e.g., large or rush requests).
- Staff training: Teach employees to spot forged documents and impersonations.
- Professional support: Engage investigators or lawyers for suspicious activity.
Rebuilding Trust: Galleria Tile’s Resilience
Visona has overhauled her operations: "Now, all orders require deposits—no exceptions. We verify everything, but once goods leave, control is lost. Many don’t grasp that." Despite the trauma, she vows to preserve her family’s three-generation business. "I won’t let them take this. Many small businesses couldn’t survive such a hit. I’ll endure—but it shouldn’t be this hard."
Her story is a cautionary tale. In an increasingly complex commercial landscape, vigilance and robust safeguards are non-negotiable. For businesses, the time to fortify defenses is now.