inDrive, the global ride-hailing and delivery platform, has issued a major scam warning after blocking more than 80,000 accounts linked to fraudulent activity targeting its courier delivery riders in Pakistan. The scam has left some victims out of pocket by as much as Rs. 30,000, prompting urgent action by the company and law enforcement.
How the Scam Worked
The fraud emerged about six months ago when organised criminals began booking delivery jobs on the inDrive app using fake accounts. Many of these accounts used military titles such as Captain or Major in their display names. These ranks, combined with drop-off locations near cantonment areas such as in Karachi, created a sense of authority that made couriers less likely to question the job.
Riders reported that these fake customers offered unusually high fares for very short trips. When riders arrived at the pickup location, they were contacted off-platform, often via WhatsApp. They were then told that an internal payment issue required them to send cash through mobile payment services like JazzCash or Easypaisa before the parcel could be handed over. When riders complied, the contact number was blocked and the address proved fake.
This scam technique relied on urgency and perceived legitimacy. When riders hesitated, scammers either promised extra payment on top of the high fare or adopted an urgent and authoritative tone, pressuring riders to act quickly. Some couriers lost significant amounts, in some cases over Rs. 30,000.
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inDrive’s Response and Account Actions
As complaints mounted, inDrive’s Pakistan management initiated an internal investigation. At a media briefing in Lahore, inDrive’s Country Manager for Pakistan, Awais Saeed, said the company quickly identified a pattern in these reports and shared behavioural data with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Authority (NCCIA) in Islamabad. They also registered formal complaints and FIRs, leading to the arrest of several suspects now in judicial custody.
To curb the problem, inDrive took decisive steps on its platform. The company blacklisted and blocked over 80,000 accounts that included rank-based names like Captain, Major, Cap, and Maj, as well as other patterns linked to scam activity. According to multiple reports, very few legitimate users — fewer than ten — contacted inDrive to say their accounts were blocked in error, indicating most of the disabled accounts were fraudulent.
inDrive also launched awareness campaigns for couriers. Riders were reminded they can cancel suspicious jobs without penalty and that they should not make any payments on behalf of customers. The company increased monitoring of unusual fare patterns and emphasised policies to protect its riders.
Expert Views and Security Lessons
Security experts say this scam highlights broader risks facing gig workers who rely heavily on trust and quick decision-making in mobile platforms. Scammers often leverage social engineering techniques to exploit riders’ certainty and urgency, making digital safety awareness crucial. Experts also stress that companies should invest in identity verification technologies to prevent such exploitation.
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inDrive, founded in 2013 and operating in more than 48 countries with over 360 million app downloads globally, continues its investigation with law enforcement and has urged riders to stay vigilant.
