📍 Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA
📅 Date of Incidents: March 30, 2025 and July 19, 2025
📰 Source: Chicago Police warning after attacks by a fake rideshare driver
Chicago police issued a formal community alert after a man pretending to be a rideshare driver picked up at least two women and proceeded to sexually assault them during separate rides in 2025.
Here’s the timeline:
- March 30, 2025 (≈ 5 a.m.)
A woman in her early 20s was picked up near North Lake Shore Drive & East Cedar Street in the Gold Coast area. The vehicle was a midsize black SUV — not the car she ordered through the app. Police say the driver then sexually assaulted her during the ride. - July 19, 2025 (≈ 2:03 a.m.)
A second similar assault took place near North Wells Street & West North Avenue in Near North. Again, the driver posed as a legitimate ride-share service but was not actually linked to any ride-share company.
Chicago Police Findings
- The suspect was described as a Hispanic male, 35–45 years old, with a heavy build, driving a black midsize SUV that did not match the rideshare order details on victims’ phones.
- Police warned the public that the attacker was still at large and urged riders to always match the license plate and driver photo shown in their ride-share app before entering any vehicle.
Why This Matters
This case is frightening because:
- Victims trusted the ride-share system — a service widely used for safe travel, especially late at night.
- The attacker exploited that trust by mimicking the appearance of a legitimate ride-share pickup.
- Police had to publicly warn others and remind passengers to follow safety protocols — like confirming driver identity and vehicle details.
Passenger Safety Reminders
From this and similar cases, safety experts urge:
✅ Always match the vehicle’s license plate and driver photo in the app before getting in.
✅ Share your trip details (route and ETA) with a friend or family member.
✅ If you feel unsafe before entering — cancel the ride.
✅ Call emergency services immediately if something feels wrong during a ride. NBC Chicago
Transport scams are evolving. They are no longer limited to:
- Overcharging
- Fake bookings
- Ghost vehicle shipping
Today, fake drivers are weaponizing trust — turning everyday travel into a high-risk situation.
As cities grow and app-based transport becomes the norm, awareness is the strongest defense.
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