Quick Definition
Hijacking in trucking is the unauthorized takeover of a vehicle or shipment during transit—through force, deception, or digital manipulation—resulting in the loss of cargo, equipment, or both.
Historically, hijacking meant a physical confrontation: a driver threatened at a stop or a truck forcibly taken. While those incidents still occur, modern hijacking has evolved.
Today, many hijackings are enabled long before the truck is ever on the road. Criminals gather intelligence through digital channels—tracking high-value loads, impersonating dispatchers, or manipulating routing instructions—then intervene at a moment of maximum vulnerability.
How Hijacking Happens Today
Hijacking typically falls into one of three categories:
Physical Hijacking
Force or threats used against the driver.
Occurs at rest stops, parking areas, or congestion points.
Deceptive Hijacking
Driver is tricked into stopping or rerouting.
Fraudsters pose as law enforcement, roadside assistance, or dispatch.
Digitally Enabled Hijacking
Shipment data is compromised.
Routes, delivery locations, or handoff instructions are altered.
Criminals know where, when, and what to target.
Increasingly, hijacking blends all three.
Real-World Scenario
A driver hauling high-value electronics receives a call appearing to be from dispatch, instructing them to divert to a nearby drop lot due to a “warehouse issue.” The call references accurate load numbers and delivery details.
At the location, another individual—also appearing legitimate—takes custody of the trailer. By the time the deception is discovered, both the freight and trailer are gone.
No force was used. The hijacking was made possible by compromised trust.
Why Hijacking Risk is Increasing
Several trends are driving modern hijacking risk:
- Greater visibility into shipment data;
- Reliance on mobile communications and apps;
- Pressure on drivers to stay on schedule; and
- Limited verification of mid-route instruction changes.
Criminals exploit speed, familiarity, and assumed trust.
Key Warning Signs
Unscheduled route changes
Unexpected instructions during transit
Requests that bypass normal verification
Loss of communication at unusual points
Hijacking often looks like a normal operation, until it’s too late.
Why Hijacking is a Cyber-Physical Threat
Hijacking is no longer just a safety issue or a law-enforcement concern.
It is a cyber-physical risk, where digital access enables physical loss.
Prevention requires controlling:
- Who can access shipment data;
- Who can issue instructions; and
- How identity and authority are verified.
How NMFTA Helps
NMFTA brings together cybersecurity guidance, identity assurance, and digital standards to help reduce hijacking risk before a vehicle is ever targeted—making it harder for criminals to exploit trust and information gaps.