The investigation uncovered a cluster of transport firms purchased using the identity of a man who had died months earlier. One of these companies was later hired as a subcontractor by a Midlands-based logistics business, whose director (referred to as Alison) discovered that a truckload of DIY products worth £75,000 had vanished after being handed over to the seemingly legitimate subcontractor. The vehicle that collected the goods was later found to have been operating on fake number plates.
Drivers interviewed for the investigation described waking up to find their curtain-sided trailers slashed, with high-value cargo such as clothing, alcohol and consumer electronics being particular targets.
How the front companies were acquired
One of the companies implicated in the theft from Alison’s firm was Zus Transport, which had changed ownership shortly before the incident. BBC reporters traced the takeover to bank transfers made in the name of Romanian driver Ionut “Robert” Calin, despite confirming that he had died in November 2024.
A network of five transport companies appeared to have been registered or purchased using Calin’s details. Former owners told the BBC they had dealt instead with a man known as “Benny”.
Through Companies House records, social-media searches, vehicle purchase images and phone-number tracing, reporters connected “Benny” to Benjamin Mustata, a man living in Coventry and linked to a Lamborghini purchase made shortly after the £75,000 load disappeared.
When approached, Mustata denied involvement, stating he had bought Zus Transport on behalf of a relative and was not responsible for the company at the time of the theft.
Identity fraud, systemic weaknesses and industry impact
Fraud lawyers consulted by the BBC said the case showed clear signs of identity misuse and highlighted gaps in company-registration checks. They also warned of a misconception that freight theft mainly harms insurers, when in fact such incidents put significant pressure on already low-margin logistics businesses.
Industry representatives share similar concerns. The Road Haulage Association says its members are reporting a daily rise in attacks by highly organised crime groups, echoing a pattern previously observed by Europol in mainland Europe, where struggling haulage firms were bought out and used to steal multiple loads before disappearing.
Cargo theft across Europe: high-tech tactics and systemic vulnerabilities
The tactics uncovered in the BBC investigation form part of a much wider pattern seen across Europe, where freight crime has evolved far beyond opportunistic theft. Security specialists warn that organised groups are increasingly deploying technology-driven methods, often disabling vehicle tracking systems and striking when drivers are most vulnerable.
According to the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA), cargo crime now costs the European logistics sector an estimated €8.2 billion per year. Criminal groups have adapted quickly to improvements in CCTV, locking systems and tracking technologies, with incidents involving GPS jammers, signal disruption and sophisticated deception theft becoming more frequent.
Industry experts say parking insecurity remains a critical weakness. Large parts of Europe still lack certified secure parking areas, leaving drivers to spend nights at unprotected rest stops where they face a heightened risk of being targeted. Under TAPA’s Truck Security Requirements (TSR), fleets are encouraged to use accredited secure areas—even if this means stopping before drivers reach their maximum legal driving time.
Efforts to expand the network of certified parking locations are under way, including new audits and accreditation programmes in both the UK and continental Europe. Security advocates argue that improved parking infrastructure would significantly reduce opportunities for professional gangs to attack stationary vehicles.
Beyond financial losses, the impact on drivers is significant. Many report interrupted rest, intimidation and long-term stress, with some leaving the profession because of persistent safety concerns. Unrested drivers also face increased risks on the road the next day, adding a secondary layer of danger to an already challenging environment.
Industry organisations warn that without consistent, Europe-wide security standards and better protection for drivers, both opportunistic and organised freight crime will continue to rise. TAPA and other stakeholders argue that adopting unified frameworks is essential to give operators and customers confidence that goods are handled within a controlled and auditable security system.
