Cargo Theft Goes 3D

Thieves are taking advantage of new technology when they target cargo in containers. There have been reports that 3D printers have been used to make fake security seals.

Fitting fake seals on a container after stealing its contents is a well-known ploy. The thief breaks the old seal to gain access into the container and steals the cargo. They then close the door and a replacement seal is fitted to hide their tracks. In many cases the theft is not discovered until the container is delivered to its final destination. By that time it is very difficult to know where and when the theft took place.   In a recent article by the British International Freight Association  (BIFA), 3D printers have been used by criminals to clone seals. They can be made within 10 minutes and traceability is near impossible. Identification marks can also be easily applied to the seal cylinder, making detection even more difficult.

For more information on container theft and how to prevent it, read our loss prevention briefing at: www.nepia.com/lp-briefings