MKFE has received reports from its members about attempted fraud that took place in February this year. Criminals use methods known for years – most often they contact carriers from fake email addresses, posing as employees of reputable forwarding companies. Only one letter in the domain is changed, which means detecting the scam requires particular attention.
Fake emails in practice
Example 1 – Space Logistic, Italy
Cybercriminals are impersonating the Italian company Space Logistic. Official email addresses end with the @space-logistic.com domain, while scammers use a domain with an extra “i” – logiistic. The difference is minimal and easy to miss. The company warned about this on its website.
Example 2 – Voight Transporte GMBH, Germany
Similar activity has been recorded in Germany. Scammers send messages posing as Voight Transporte GMBH. Genuine emails end with the @voigt-transporte.de domain; the fake ones – voigt-transport.de, i.e., missing one “e”.
Threats to carriers
In this way, criminals can take over entire loads, illegally collect them using their own vehicles, and sell them within their own distribution chain. At the same time, this damages the reputation of the genuine forwarding companies whose names are being used for scams. MKFE appeals for carriers and subcontractors to always carefully check the sender’s email domain.
How to protect yourself?
“This modus operandi is quite primitive, but unfortunately effective, especially when someone is acting in a hurry. The best form of defence is to carefully check the email domain. In the case of Trans.eu customers, it’s also worth using the platform’s messenger, because this way at least you know who you’re talking to” – says Piotr Sobala, International Security Team Leader at Trans.eu.
MKFE also reminds that every case of suspicious correspondence should be reported to the platforms, so that it is possible to stop scams and protect the reputation of genuine carriers.
Cybersecurity in logistics is not theory – it’s a daily necessity. Being meticulous when checking emails and using official communication channels can protect carriers from losing entire loads and facing serious financial consequences, especially as e-commerce volumes keep supply chains under pressure.
