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Portcullis Intelligence

Know what to look for, as methods change.

Portcullis Intelligence is designed to turn reported patterns into short, practical actions for freight businesses.

In development

The alerts on this page are fictional examples showing the intended format. They do not describe real events, companies or people.

What it will cover

  • Suspicious counterparties

    Recognise the signs of a false agent, shell customer or fraudulent account before you trade.

  • Impersonation

    Spot look-alike domains, cloned identities and messages posing as a known supplier.

  • Insider approaches

    Notice when staff are being targeted, recruited or pressured, and how to respond.

  • Fraud patterns

    Identify payment diversion, credit fraud and changed-instruction schemes early.

  • Suspicious shipments

    Question routings, declarations and bookings that do not fit a genuine trading pattern.

  • Criminal methodologies

    Understand how organised groups exploit freight processes from end to end.

Example alerts

Illustrative only. These do not describe real events, companies or people.

  • EXAMPLE ALERTElevated

    Impersonation

    Look-alike domain used to redirect collection

    An email from a domain one character different to a known haulier asks for a collection to be moved to a new address at short notice.

    Indicators

    • Domain differs by a single character
    • Request made late in the day
    • New collection address not previously used

    Action

    Verify by phone using a number already on file before changing any collection details.

  • EXAMPLE ALERTHigh

    Insider approaches

    Staff approached outside work for shipment information

    Operations staff report being approached socially and offered money for advance details of high-value consignments.

    Indicators

    • Unsolicited interest in schedules
    • Offers of cash or gifts
    • Requests to keep contact private

    Action

    Remind staff how to report approaches confidentially, and review access to schedule information.

  • EXAMPLE ALERTAdvisory

    Suspicious counterparties

    Newly formed overseas agent seeking urgent credit

    A recently incorporated overseas agent with no landline and a new website requests credit terms for a first, urgent shipment.

    Indicators

    • Company formed within the last few months
    • No verifiable landline
    • Pressure to agree credit quickly

    Action

    Complete a full CLUES check and decline credit until identity and trading history are verified.

How alerts will be written

  1. 01

    Specific

    Focused on identifiable indicators, not vague warnings.

  2. 02

    Actionable

    Every alert should tell a freight business what to review or do.

  3. 03

    Responsible

    Unverified people or organisations are not publicly accused.

How Portcullis Intelligence works

A simple review process. Portcullis is not a law-enforcement or intelligence agency, and alerts are guidance, not findings.

  1. 1

    Signal received

    A concern, report or pattern is raised with Portcullis.

  2. 2

    Information reviewed

    The information is checked for relevance and reliability.

  3. 3

    Pattern assessed

    Portcullis considers whether it reflects a method others could face.

  4. 4

    Member alert issued where appropriate

    A short alert with indicators and actions is shared with members.

Intelligence is part of membership.

Enquire about membership and certification to be kept informed as member services launch.

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