Freight Fraud: Combatting The Growing Threat To Supply Chain Integrity

Guest commentary by Andrew Wimer (Descartes) on the growing freight fraud problem and how companies can combat it.

Mar 26, 2026

Freight fraud is no longer a niche problem or an occasional disruption — it has become a systemic risk impacting supply chains across North America. What was once largely opportunistic cargo theft has evolved into a sophisticated, technology-enabled ecosystem of fraud that is costing the industry billions of dollars annually and challenging the way companies think about risk, trust, and execution.

The scale of the problem is striking. Recent industry data shows that cargo theft and fraud incidents continue to rise sharply year-over-year. In January 2026, Verisk CargoNet reported that estimated cargo theft losses surged 60% in 2025 to nearly $725 million, a sign that organized criminal groups are becoming more selective and targeting higher value freight. While incidents are increasing and costs are climbing, the real story for shippers, freight brokers, and carriers alike lies in how freight fraud is changing.

Will You Vibe Code Your Next Supply Chain Application?

Advances in generative AI and no/low-code platforms now make it possible to “vibe code” applications — describing what you want in natural language and having AI generate working software with minimal traditional coding. This survey explored whether supply chain leaders are likely to vibe code applications in the next 1–3 years, what would drive that decision, what barriers stand in the way, and what they would build if they could.

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