🎣 Slide Into Our DM's

Happy Tuesday. Every week, our Instagram DMs are filled with wild stories—fraud, scams, humor, and everything in between. In today’s newsletter, we’re sharing three of the most interesting messages that caught our attention.

Cross-Border Freight, Simplified By Cargado*

#1: Freight Agent Scam Alert

Yesterday, a follower sent us a DM about how their freight brokerage was recently scammed by a newly onboarded freight agent.

How It Started

A brokerage recently hired an agent, Clara Páez, who claimed to have an established book of business and solid shipper and carrier relationships. She introduced them to a shipper, Tichenor Custom Lumber, and a carrier she vouched for. Everything seemed legitimate—until it wasn’t.

"We began booking loads, all of which had substantial profit margins. After completing each load, we provided the necessary information to our factoring company for quick pay processing. However, the factoring company informed us that they were unable to extend a large amount of credit due to Tichenor Custom Lumber’s insufficient payment history."

The Scam Unfolds

The broker quickly realized something was wrong:

• Fake Contacts: "Both the agent and shipper were using Google Voice numbers, which they never answered."
• Suspicious Receiver: "The receiver was supposedly a private residence, and we were told not to contact them."
• Fraudulent Carrier Claims: "Our agent claimed to have worked with these carriers for over a year, but their MC numbers showed they’d only been in business for a few months."
• Hostage Freight: "The shipper, carrier, and agent threatened to hold our shipment unless we paid through quick pay immediately."
• Final Blow: When the brokerage refused, Tichenor Custom Lumber shut down its website and disappeared.

The Damage & Fallout

The brokerage was left in a financial mess, losing thousands of dollars. A deeper look into Páez’s background revealed inconsistencies in her work history and suspicious online activity. With the shipper gone and the carrier unresponsive, there was no way to recover the lost money. It was a hard lesson in why thorough vetting is necessary.

Highway's 2024 Fraud Prevention Impact

In 2024, Highway reinforced its position as the leader in Carrier Identity by proactively detecting and blocking threats before they could disrupt broker operations. Our real-time fraud prevention efforts delivered tangible results:

• 914,719 fraudulent inbound emails blocked.
• 9,501 identity alerts, including identity theft and double brokering.
• 9,829 carrier users from 75 countries prevented from accessing Highway.
• 109,672 FMCSA contact changes detected and monitored.

Every fraud attempt we intercept means a transaction secured and a carrier network safeguarded. As fraud grows smarter, Highway stays ahead with enhanced monitoring and deeper integrations, ensuring brokers can focus on success, not disruptions. In 2025, we’re doubling down on fraud prevention with even more advanced detection capabilities and enhanced protection across the entire freight ecosystem.

#2: The U.S. Government's 'Ghost Fleet' Trucks

Ever wondered how the U.S. government moves its most sensitive cargo? A follower recently shared an Instagram video of someone spotting a Ghost Fleet truck at a truck stop, sparking curiosity about these highly secure convoys.

Here’s what we know:

• What is the Ghost Fleet? A classified fleet of government trucks used to transport nuclear materials, weapons, and other sensitive cargo.
• Who runs them? The Office of Secure Transportation (OST) under the Department of Energy.
• How do they operate? These trucks roll in convoys with armed escorts, bypassing weigh stations, checkpoints, and state patrol stops.
• What’s inside? While classified, they’re known to haul nuclear components, gold, currency, and military equipment.
• Who drives them? Usually military veterans trained for high-security transport.

These convoys stick to a strict, pre-planned route and never stop for inspections. Their exact movements and operations remain classified, adding to the mystery.

Have you ever spotted one on the road? Let us know.

Smarter, Simpler TMS for Carriers – CtrlChain

Most Transport Management Systems come with a steep learning curve, endless complexity, and headaches. But what if implementing a TMS was easy and actually made your job easier?

That’s exactly what we’re building at CtrlChain - a carrier-oriented TMS designed with carriers, for carriers. Built alongside transport companies, it’s made to be fast, simple, and reliable. No more frustrations, only smarter transport management that works for you, not against you.

Exiting updates are coming soon. Stay tuned.

#3: How One Brokerage is Battling an Impersonation Scam

McEntire Logistics has been dealing with a serious fraud issue—an unknown scammer has been impersonating their company for over a year.

This impersonator is stealing carrier information, likely engaging in double brokering, and failing to pay legitimate carriers.

Despite reporting the fraud to FMCSA, DAT, DOT, and Amazon, they've received little response and feel powerless to stop the scam.

To warn carriers, McEntire Logistics has even placed a FreightGuard Report on themselves to highlight the scam and prevent more victims. Unfortunately, the fraudulent activity continues, and they are searching for ways to put an end to it.

We hope you enjoyed today’s newsletter! If you have any feedback, just reply to this email and let us know. Thanks for being a subscriber—we’re always here if you need anything.

FREIGHT MEME OF THE DAY