In this article, we will look at which fraud schemes are most common today, why logistics remains a vulnerable area, and most importantly, how to recognize risks in advance and protect yourself.
Why scammers are often found in the field of cargo transportation
A market with a low entry threshold
Transportation is an area where tens of thousands of sole proprietors and small companies often work, and many transactions occur urgently, without thorough checks. This creates an ideal ground for scammers: you can make money quickly without leaving any traces.
System vulnerabilities
- The urgency of delivery. When the cargo is needed "yesterday", customers often do not check the counterparty.
- Scattered information. There is no single register of bona fide carriers, many operate without official websites and reviews.
- Low control. Contracts are often drawn up formally, without checking documents and guarantees.
Common fraud schemes
Fake transport companies and websites
One of the most common ways to cheat is to create fake websites for well—known carriers. Visually, everything looks solid: the logo, a copy of the real contacts, even fake reviews. A potential customer submits an application, pays for the "delivery" — and never hears from the carrier again. Such schemes are especially dangerous for urgent delivery, when there is no time to check the partner.
Carrier substitution
The company negotiates with one carrier, and on the day of shipment, "another" arrives at the warehouse — allegedly the driver or transport was replaced. In fact, this is a fraudster who gained access to data from previous correspondence or through shadow databases. The cargo sinks and disappears. It is extremely difficult to prove anything without properly executed documents and verification of the carrier's identity.
Prepayment fraud
The classic scheme is that the carrier requires 100% prepayment, explaining this by urgency, loading, or “new company rules.” Disappears after receiving the money. Such scams are often disguised as sole proprietors with fake reviews and a “story" on social networks.
Fake documents
Fraudsters use fake powers of attorney, waybills, waybills, and even stamps. Forgery can be of such high quality that it is almost impossible to distinguish it without checking through official databases. This is especially true for deliveries between regions when the customer does not see the driver in person.
Double payment for one service
The carrier receives payment from the customer and separately demands money from the recipient of the cargo, citing "misunderstanding", "incorrect conditions" or even threatening not to return the goods. Sometimes both sides pay until it turns out that the terms were distorted on purpose. This happens especially often in the absence of clearly defined agreements.
How to check the carrier before ordering
Reliable carrier verification is not a formality, but a real way to save cargo, money and reputation. Here's what you should pay attention to before making a deal.:
Check the INN, licenses, and registration information
The first step is the verification of legal information. Enter the INN or OGRN on the websites:
- egrul.nalog.ru — the official database of the Federal Tax Service;
- kontur.ru/focus — gives a complete picture of the company: founders, court cases, debts, signs of a one-day deal;
- check-transport.ru — a specialized service for checking carriers and transport.
Please note: if the company is newly registered, with an authorized capital of 10,000 rubles and no history, this is already an alarming sign.
Evaluate the reputation and reviews
Do not rely solely on reviews from the carrier's website. Check them out in open sources:
- Yandex.Maps, Google and 2GIS;
- specialized forums and logistics chats;
- social networks and profile groups in Telegram/Vkontakte.
Look for the negative, especially cases where the company has not contacted you, disappeared with an advance payment, or delayed the shipment.
Explore the website and social media
For bona fide companies:
- there is a full-fledged website with an address, phone numbers, licenses and cases.;
- active social networks with live posts and responses to comments;
- transparent working conditions and tariffs.
If the site is one—page, with general phrases, without sole proprietors / LLC and contacts, this is a reason to be wary.
Make sure that it is legally clean
It is mandatory before shipping:
- sign a contract specifying the amount, terms, liability and insurance.;
- Request copies of licenses, driver's licenses, and vehicle identification documents.;
- issue a TTN and a power of attorney for the driver;
- if necessary, insure the cargo (separately or through a carrier).
If the carrier evades the paperwork, it is better to stop cooperating with him.
Additional security measures
Even if you have already checked the carrier, it is worth using additional protection methods.
1. GPS tracking
If the carrier provides GPS surveillance, that's a plus.:
- you are tracking the route in real time;
- you can react quickly if the transport deviates from the path.;
- an additional guarantee that the cargo will not disappear along the way.
If there is no such function, you can suggest installing your own tracker (if the relationship allows) or specify how the carrier confirms the route.
2. Work through aggregators and logistics marketplaces
Services like ATI.SU, Logisticpro, Delco Online, etc. carriers are checked before being allowed to place orders. This reduces the risk.:
- all participants are verified;
- There are ratings, reviews, and order history.;
- The platform often acts as a guarantor of the transaction.
Of course, this does not cancel your own verification, but it adds a level of trust.
3. Non-cash payment and conditions fixing
Work according to the contract and pay for services on the invoice:
- this creates a legally fixed relationship.;
- reduces the likelihood of the carrier disappearing after prepayment;
- allows you to prove the fact of the transaction when applying to the court.
The terms (deadlines, fines, route, cost) must be recorded in writing — in the contract or appendix. Verbal agreements are a weak defense.
The real case: how the company lost its cargo due to gullibility
A company from Moscow ordered the urgent delivery of a shipment of equipment worth 1.2 million rubles to another region. The carrier responded to the online ad, offered a low price and asked for a 30% prepayment.
I sent the documents via WhatsApp, the site looked decent, but:
- The INN was not checked;
- the contract was signed "on the knee", without legal expertise;
- They didn't insist on GPS or power of attorney;
- the payment was made by transfer to an individual's card.
The driver took the cargo and disappeared. The phones are disconnected, the address is fake, the IP does not exist. The police have opened a case, but the chances of returning the money and goods are minimal.
Conclusions:
- Always check your legal information and licenses.
- Don't pay with a bank card — just a bank account.
- Sign a full-fledged contract.
- Don't skimp on checking — it's cheaper to waste time than the product.
Conclusion
Fraud in the field of freight transportation is a real risk, especially in conditions of high demand and limited choice. But you can significantly reduce the probability of losses if you use a proven algorithm.:
A short checklist:
- Check the INN, licenses, and documents.
- Study the website, reviews, and reputation.
- Use carrier verification services.
- Set down the terms in writing, pay by bank transfer.
- If possible, connect GPS and work through logistics marketplaces.
Remember: scammers often look "normal" — with a website, documents, and even good manners. Don't rush because of the urgency — it's better to spend an extra 30 minutes checking than to lose cargo or money.
Work only with trusted services.
