Hundreds of Uber drivers used cell phones with hacked apps to commit million-dollar scam: For years They used these apps to increase the price of traveland it is estimated that this scam generated losses of up to 40 million dollars, according to the prosecutor in charge of the investigation.
Authorities are already trying to identify the drivers who were using the phones with hacked apps, amid an investigation that has led to two arrests and revealed that The scam lasted about six years.generating at least 1.5 million in profits for drivers.
Hacked apps ‘trick’ Uber app to charge more for rides
This happened in the United States. The investigation by the FBI and the authorities revealed that two residents of Queens, New York, named Alberto Suárez Palacios and Eliahou Paldiel, were dedicated to selling smartphones on which pirated applications are installed that take advantage of the same operation of applications such as Uber and Lyft. charging more in cases where it is necessary.
Transportation services like Uber have dynamic pricing, high prices that apply when demand is too high (due to the calendar, sporting events or weather conditions for example). The cell phones sold by Palacios and Paldiel included applications such as “Fake GPS” which falsify the location of the cell phone in the Uber application and make it appear that a service is being provided in a dynamic fare zone.
The cell phones were sold for $600, a considerably high amount but one that ultimately generated profits and income for the drivers. It is estimated that more than 800 drivers They acquired these smartphones with pirated applications.
In addition to the “fake GPS,” these devices also included an app called “Screwber” that allows drivers to select the most lucrative rides before users accept the ride. Using both apps, drivers made a lot of money, at least $1.5 million in total, according to the investigation, even though the final figure could be much higher.
The FBI arrested Palacios and Paldiel, who pleaded not guilty and were released on $210,000 bail pending trial, at which They face up to 20 years in prison..
Authorities are also investigating the drivers, whom they consider co-perpetrators of the crimes. It is unclear what possible sanctions and charges the drivers who committed this scam will face, but the first consequence will be the most obvious: they will not be able to continue providing services in apps like Uber and Lyft.
Cover photo | Dan Gold on Unsplash (edited)
By | Motorpassion – The New York Post
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