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As industries continue to move online, they are also opening themselves up to digital fraud. Industrial and manufacturing businesses like shipping, transportation, and logistics are trading in the fax machines and phones for digital booking tools and other commercial platform innovations. 

In the meantime, digital fraud is on the rise. This is particularly true in legacy industries that previously moved very slow. Still, that’s not to say that the old, manually driven way of doing things was risk-free. 

As businesses increasingly embrace digital solutions to streamline their workflows and improve efficiency, they must remain vigilant against digital fraud.

 Both large corporations and small businesses operating in the industrial economy are at risk, as the very tools used to optimize processes are being exploited by cybercriminals. 

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Cybercrime Increases 

Small businesses, in particular, face a heightened vulnerability, as they often lack robust protections and have little margin to absorb losses caused by fraud and other illicit behavior.

Digital fraud is not confined to the industrial sector. Nearly every industry faces sophisticated attack strategies, including generative AI-driven scams.

These bad actors exploit vulnerabilities in digital systems, creating a significant threat across the business landscape.

According to a September 8 Bloomberg Report, a company called AOG Technics, created a fake history, bogus LinkedIn accounts, and stock photos of their non-existent employees to target buyers.

While digital tools such as booking platforms and real-time visibility solutions help manage supply chain logistics, they also open the door to new types of fraud.

Scammers can place false orders and make fake bookings using the same digital systems, amplifying their reach and impact. 

For example, double-brokering—a fraudulent tactic in the shipping sector—has evolved with the use of digital marketplaces. Criminals now use fake identities to bid on loads, scaling their operations more effectively than through traditional manual methods like phone scams.

Fighting Digital Fraud with Digital Tools

So, how can businesses defend themselves? A proactive approach is key. Businesses of any size can mitigate risks associated with unauthorized access, malware attacks, data breaches, and other malicious activities.