Over a few weeks in late 2023, thieves stole 40,000 oysters, a crab shipment and about $400,000 in lobster meat across New England. Fourteen oyster cages were taken from Casco Bay on Nov. 22 (about $20,000 in losses), and two Taunton incidents on Dec. 2 and Dec. 12 involved missing crab and a lobster pickup by a fraudulent carrier. Industry leaders warn impersonation schemes and phishing-style "strategic theft" have made cargo theft more frequent and sophisticated, with stolen perishables likely entering restaurant supply chains and costs passing to consumers.
Seafood Heist in New England: 40,000 Oysters, Crab and $400,000 in Lobster Stolen
Part of the stolen seafood disappeared after leaving a logistics facility in Taunton, Massachussets. - WJAR
Over several weeks in late 2023, organized thieves targeted seafood supply chains across New England, making off with tens of thousands of oysters, a shipment of crab and roughly $400,000 worth of lobster meat.
The Thefts
On Nov. 22 in Falmouth, Maine, the Maine Marine Patrol reported that 14 cages of oysters—many fully grown and market-ready—were stolen from an aquaculture site in Casco Bay. The oysters and cages together were valued at about $20,000. “This is a devastating situation for a small businessman,” Marine Patrol Sgt. Matthew Sinclair said.
Two related incidents were reported in Taunton, Massachusetts. On Dec. 2, a shipment of crab disappeared after leaving a Lineage Logistics warehouse. Then, on Dec. 12, a load of lobster meat bound for Costco stores in Illinois and Minnesota was collected by what later proved to be a fraudulent trucking company, according to the broker that arranged the pickup.
“The carrier we hired impersonated a real carrier. They had a spoofed email address. They changed the name on the side of the truck. They made a fake certified driver’s license. It’s a very sophisticated crime,” said Dylan Rexing, CEO of Rexing Companies.
How the Scam Worked
Industry representatives say the lobster theft matches a growing pattern in which criminals impersonate legitimate carriers to pick up freight. Tactics include spoofed emails, falsified paperwork, altered truck branding and counterfeit driver credentials. A second tactic—known as strategic theft—involves phishing or other cyber intrusions to divert payments or reroute shipments without physically taking goods.
“This is a massive growing problem that needs to get addressed,” said Chris Burroughs, president and CEO of the Transportation Intermediaries Association.
Possible Destination and Impact
Because lobster meat has a very short shelf life, officials and industry sources say the stolen product likely entered restaurant supply chains. Beyond seafood, freight theft affects a wide range of industries: parts for automobiles, components for electronics and consumer goods are all targets, and those losses ultimately raise costs for consumers.
What’s Being Done
Law enforcement agencies including local police and the Maine Marine Patrol are investigating. Industry groups urge tighter verification procedures for carriers, improved digital security, and greater collaboration between shippers, brokers and police to stem a rise in sophisticated cargo theft rings.
Lineage Logistics, Costco and Taunton Police did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the incidents.
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