LAHORE: Ride-hailing platform inDrive has blocked more than 80,000 fraudulent or suspicious accounts in Pakistan in what it described as a sweeping effort to protect couriers and restore trust on its platform. The move follows the discovery of an organised scam in which perpetrators allegedly impersonated officials to exploit delivery drivers.
According to the company, the network created fake customer profiles and used official-sounding titles to project authority and urgency during bookings. Investigators say the tactic was designed to pressure couriers into complying with instructions that ultimately led to financial losses.
As part of its nationwide response, inDrive analysed account registrations linked to telecom operators and blocked them from the platform. The incidents involved criminal groups deliberately targeting couriers through deceptive booking practices. After receiving complaints from drivers, inDrive Pakistan lodged a formal complaint with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency in Islamabad, citing a coordinated fraud scheme. In several cases, fraudsters contacted couriers through WhatsApp while posing as parcel consignees and persuaded them to make payments from their personal funds.
Investigations revealed a consistent pattern — unusually high fares offered for short-distance deliveries, followed by requests for drivers to pay for items or transfer funds on behalf of customers. Once payments were made, the scammers disappeared. inDrive stressed that its policies strictly prohibit courier partners from making payments for customers under any circumstances.
Authorities moved swiftly after the complaint was filed. Under the supervision of NCCIA Islamabad Zone Additional Director Ehsanullah Chohan, investigators coordinated with the company to analyse data and behavioural patterns. Suspects were identified, a first information report (FIR) was registered, and those arrested are currently in judicial custody.
The company said it continues to issue advisories reminding couriers to avoid advance payments and to report suspicious activity immediately. It added that safeguarding drivers’ safety, dignity and earnings remains central to its operations as digital platforms face growing threats from organised online fraud.
