The Panorama of Cargo and Vehicle Theft in São Paulo, a pioneering study by GIF International, a consultancy specialized 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.
The data, which raises a red flag for the logistics, transportation, delivery, mobility, and e-commerce sectors, was obtained from the analysis of operational information on GIF International’s actions, covering 3,536 incidents in Brazil—2,586 of which occurred in the state of São Paulo—and cross-referenced with the public database of the São Paulo 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, being preferred targets due to their capacity to transport larger volumes of goods.
The research also identified signs of internal involvement in 45% of cases, highlighting weaknesses in onboarding processes for new professionals and service providers, as well as a lack of strict control and monitoring of outsourced teams and drivers.
According to GIF International CEO Pablo Colombres, criminal gangs are increasingly strategic, organized, and adapted to the daily routines of logistics operations.
“The data shows that crime has become professionalized. Attacks occur while deliveries are in progress, exploiting operational vulnerabilities and route predictability. Companies need to act intelligently by integrating prevention, investigation, and risk analysis into their routines,” emphasizes Colombres.
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, reinforcing that geolocation is a crucial element in security strategies. This resource is already widely used by mobility apps through location systems and risk zone alerts.
“GIF International operates with an ecosystem of integrated solutions for fraud prevention, detection, and investigation, supporting companies in the most impacted sectors—such as logistics, e-commerce, and transportation—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.
