A Chicago man faces federal charges after authorities say he posed as a carrier agent, duping companies into releasing shipments to him and making off with more than $9.5 million in goods.
Aivaras Zigmantas, a 39-year-old Lithuanian national who has lived in the Chicago area and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly posing as an agent for carriers and stealing shipments that were released to him. He intended to steal $13.5 million in goods and actually made off with more than $9.5 million worth of items, including liquor and commercial-grade copper, authorities say in an indictment.
Zigmantas pleaded not guilty on June 5 to charges of wire fraud, bank fraud and theft of interstate shipments.
Related:
Cargo thefts spiked 68% in Q4, led by food and beverage freight
How a cargo theft ring in California is keeping shippers on edge
Expert predicts growth in cargo theft, fraud, violence and pilferage
Strategic cargo theft growth pushes industry fraud toward all-time high
The scheme lasted from March 2020 through September 2023, the indictment says. Zigmantas worked with unidentified people and allegedly used fake names to pull off the scheme, submitting bids to transport shipments and later diverting the shipments from their intended destinations.
The complex scheme involved Zigmantas removing goods from the original truck and placing them on another before transporting the stolen items to a new location, the indictment says. He rented and used heavy equipment, even renting warehouses to hide the goods.
Zigmantas created phony carriers, such as Best Global Express, Mato Trans and Martin Global, according to the indictment, and obtained U.S. Department of Transportation and motor carrier numbers. He also made up fraudulent brokers, such as Total Freight Broker and Mat Broker.
He targeted victims on online marketplaces like Load Board A, authorities said. He also posed as an agent of legitimate carriers and brokers.
Zigmantas recruited people to join the operation and obtained fraudulent licenses and passports as well, the indictment says.
The indictment didn’t name companies that fell victim to the scam or those for which he allegedly posed as an agent.
Freight Fraud Symposium
Double brokering. AI deepfakes. Identity theft. Freight fraud is an existential threat to the industry. Get ahead of it.
Supply Chain AI Symposium
Past the hype. Join operators, founders, and enterprise leaders figuring out how to deploy AI in supply chain.
Future of Rail Symposium
Reshoring is rewriting freight demand. Join shippers, rail executives, and government officials to shape the next decade.
Double brokering. AI deepfakes. Identity theft. Freight fraud is an existential threat to the industry. Get ahead of it.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame • Cleveland, OH Register NowPast the hype. Join operators, founders, and enterprise leaders figuring out how to deploy AI in supply chain.
The Old Post Office • Chicago, IL Register NowReshoring is rewriting freight demand. Join shippers, rail executives, and government officials to shape the next decade.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
Merlin Parkins
Lots more just like him crossing illegally into this country everyday, yet we sit back and basically just let it happen. These people are dangerous because they have nothing to lose.
Jimmy
I hope they bury this dirtbag beneath the prison.