Description

A stolen commercial semi-trailer was discovered abandoned at a business location. During the investigation, it became clear that the individuals operating the truck and trailer had been hired through what they believed was a legitimate logistics or dispatching company. The driver explained he had been contracted as an independent operator to pick up and deliver the trailer. He showed message exchanges indicating he was being directed by someone claiming to represent a dispatching business. That business provided him the pickup location and claimed the equipment was legitimately leased. Another individual also came forward stating he had been “leasing” the same trailer for months from a company identifying itself as a dispatching service. He had made multiple electronic payments to phone numbers provided by the alleged company and was given instructions on how to use the trailer for freight work. He had no direct contact with the actual owners of the business and only communicated with a “handler.” He believed he was in a legitimate leasing agreement. The investigation showed that both individuals were unknowingly used as middlemen. They paid money or provided services under the false belief that the company they were dealing with was legitimate. In reality, the trailer had been stolen, and the supposed dispatch/leasing company had no legal right to rent it out or contract drivers with it. This scam appears to involve a fake logistics or dispatch business that advertises leasing or freight opportunities, collects payments, and directs drivers to operate stolen equipment. The innocent drivers only discover the issue when law enforcement becomes involved. Others should be cautious of companies that: Cannot provide verified business information or ownership records Only communicate through text messages or personal phone numbers Request payments through app-based transfers (such as Zelle) Offer equipment leases without any formal contracts Cannot prove legal ownership of the equipment they are leasing This scam exploits independent drivers by convincing them they are entering a legitimate lease or freight arrangement, when in reality they are being used to move or store stolen property.