It is 2:00 AM in South Beach. The music is loud, the drinks have been flowing, and you just want to get back to your hotel. You open the Uber or Lyft app, request a ride, and stand on the curb. A black sedan pulls up. The driver rolls down the window and waves you in. You hop in the back seat, relieved to be off your feet.
But you never checked the license plate. And that car? It isn’t your Uber. Police in Miami Beach (and major cities across the US) are issuing urgent warnings about predatory criminals posing as rideshare drivers to target intoxicated tourists. Once you close that door, the child locks engage, and you are trapped.
The “Who Are You Waiting For?” Trick
This is the oldest trick in the book, and it works because we are polite. A predator pulls up to a crowded curb and asks, “Who are you waiting for?” The moment you say, “I’m waiting for David,” they smile and say, “I’m David, hop in.”
You just gave them the password to your own kidnapping. Never volunteer the name. Instead, ask the driver, “Who are you here for?” If they cannot say your name, do not get in the car. A legitimate driver has your name on their screen. An imposter is fishing for a victim who is too tipsy to notice.
The Child Lock Trap
The most terrifying aspect of these robberies is the entrapment. Police reports indicate that these fake drivers often engage the child safety locks on the rear doors before they start their shift. Once you get in and the car starts moving, you cannot open the door from the inside…