The Overview of Cargo and Vehicle Theft in São Paulo, a pioneering study by GIF International, a consultancy specializing in combating corporate fraud, reveals that 49% of cargo thefts in delivery operations in Greater São Paulo occur between 10 AM and 2 PM, precisely during peak delivery hours.
This data, which raises a red flag for the logistics, transportation, delivery, mobility, and e-commerce sectors, was obtained by analyzing operational information from GIF International’s actions, covering 3,536 incidents in Brazil—2,586 of which occurred in the state of São Paulo—and cross-referencing the public database of São Paulo’s Public Security Secretariat.
In addition to the concentration during lunchtime, the survey found that larger vehicles, such as utility vehicles, vans, and VUCs, account for 56% of incidents, as they are preferred targets for transporting larger volumes of goods.
The study also identified signs of internal involvement in 45% of cases, highlighting weaknesses in onboarding processes for new professionals and service providers, as well as insufficient rigor in monitoring and controlling outsourced teams and drivers.
According to GIF International’s CEO, Pablo Colombres, criminal gangs are increasingly strategic, organized, and adapted to the daily operations of logistics.
“The data shows that crime has become professionalized. Attacks occur while deliveries are in progress, exploiting operational vulnerabilities and route predictability. Companies must act intelligently by integrating prevention, investigation, and risk analysis into their routines,” Colombres emphasizes.
The study also reveals that the 10 locations and neighborhoods in São Paulo with the highest number of cargo theft incidents account for 9.2% of cases in the state, underscoring that geolocation is a crucial element in security strategy. This feature, in fact, is already widely used by mobility apps through location systems and alerts indicating risk zones.
“GIF International operates with an ecosystem of integrated solutions for fraud prevention, detection, and investigation, supporting companies in the sectors most impacted by cargo theft—such as logistics, e-commerce, freight carriers, and others—to mitigate losses and minimize risks,” adds the company’s CEO.
For more information, access the full study: Panorama of Cargo and Vehicle Theft in São Paulo 2025.
