InDrive has blocked more than 80,000 accounts from its platform after an organised scam targeted courier riders across Pakistan. The scheme involved individuals posing as commissioned military officers and persuading riders to transfer money under false pretences.

Some victims lost over Rs. 30,000 as a result.

At a media briefing in Lahore, inDrive’s Country Manager for Pakistan, Awais Saeed, said the company began an internal investigation after multiple couriers reported financial losses. After identifying a consistent pattern, inDrive lodged a formal complaint with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Authority (NCCIA) office in Islamabad.

InDrive registered FIRs and escalated the case to NCCIA. By sharing data and behavioural analysis with authorities, the company helped identify several suspects, who have since been apprehended and are currently in judicial custody. The case remains under investigation in Islamabad.

How the Scam Operated

The scam emerged around six months ago. Couriers reported receiving parcel delivery requests from customers whose in-app names included military ranks such as Captain or Major. Drop-off locations were frequently set near cantonment areas, particularly in Karachi, creating a perception of authority.

According to a press release issued by inDrive, the deliveries were often priced at unusually high fares for short distances. Riders were instructed to collect parcels from locations such as CSD stores or supermarkets. Upon arrival, the customer would contact the rider through WhatsApp and claim that someone inside needed cash to complete a transaction. The rider was then asked to transfer money through JazzCash or Easypaisa, with assurances that the parcel would be handed over afterward for delivery.

If riders hesitated, callers either offered additional payment beyond the already high fare or adopted an urgent and commanding tone to pressure compliance. In several cases, riders transferred amounts as high as Rs 30,000. Once the payment was made, the contact number blocked the rider, and the provided addresses were found to be fake.

Company Response

As complaints increased, inDrive introduced measures to limit similar incidents. The company blacklisted accounts using military titles such as Captain and Major, including abbreviations like Cap and Maj. It also blocked accounts associated with phrases commonly linked to the scam. In total, more than 80,000 accounts were removed.

Fewer than ten users contacted inDrive to report that their accounts had been blocked in error, suggesting that the majority of the banned accounts were associated with fraudulent activity.

The company launched awareness campaigns to inform riders about warning signs. It reminded couriers that they can cancel rides without penalty and reiterated its policy that riders should not make payments on behalf of customers. InDrive has also increased monitoring of unusual courier fare patterns across cities.