In an exclusive investigative documentary, End of the Road, CNBC reveals how criminal gangs operating from overseas are attacking America’s supply chain through cargo theft. The scheme involves deception and fraud against the brokers who arrange shipments and the carriers who move the loads. Cargo theft has surged to record levels with estimated annual losses topping $1 billion, and industry experts point to the explosion in these schemes where criminals impersonate, and steal, the identity of a company. At the same time, thieves are brazenly stealing from parked trucks, warehouses and trains. The most targeted goods are food and beverage followed by electronics. Federal legislation is pending that would set up a federal/state cargo theft task force, but in the meantime, the problem persists across the country with California the hot spot. As part of our investigation, we traveled around the country and will show the fraud happening in real time and talk by phone to one of the fraudsters.
