A $400,000 (£295,000) shipment of lobster was stolen in transit to Costco wholesale stores in the US, a freight company's president has said.

The lobsters, which were not alive, were being transported by Rexing Companies to stores in Illinois and Minnesota, Sky News' US partner NBC reported.

The shipment was reportedly picked up in Taunton, Massachusetts, but never reached its destination.

Dylan Rexing, Rexing's president and chief executive, said in a statement that he believes the seafood was stolen by a driver impersonating a legitimate carrier.

"This theft wasn't random," he said. "It followed a pattern we're seeing more and more, where criminals impersonate legitimate carriers using spoofed emails and burner phones to hijack high-value freight while it's in transit."

He said the loss was "significant" for the company, which is based in Indiana.

"It forces tough decisions and ultimately drives up costs across the supply chain - costs consumers ultimately end up paying."

Costco did not immediately return NBC's request for comment.

The theft is being investigated by the FBI, according to US media reports.

"Brokers are on the front lines of this problem, but we need federal agencies to have modern enforcement tools to keep pace with organised criminal networks," Mr Rexing said.

"Until that happens, these thefts will continue to disrupt businesses and impact everyday prices."