Gurgaon Uber Rider Terrified By 'Kidnap' Text From Driver, Internet Weighs In

A Gurgaon resident shared a horrifying encounter on Reddit after receiving an unsettling message from their Uber driver, sending them into a panic and prompting them to cancel the ride.

The bizarre exchange, posted by Reddit user kushpyro1, has gone viral, sparking widespread concern and speculation across the internet.

The user, who had booked a Priority Sedan to reach Anand Vihar Terminal for a train, was about to meet the driver when they checked the OTP and saw the chilling message: "Go to Anand Vihar. I want to go to kidnap you happily." The message left the rider shivering and in immediate panic, especially since it came in the middle of the night, just as the driver was arriving.

With their heart racing, the rider quickly cancelled the ride, only to see the driver cancel it immediately after. They then rushed back into their house with their luggage, horrified by what had just transpired. The rider shared a screenshot of the conversation as proof, which further fueled online discussions about the unsettling nature of the message.

Was it a Mistake?

While the incident shocked many, some Reddit users suggested that the message could have been a result of autocorrect or a translation error. One commenter speculated, "It looks like autocorrect gone wrong," while another suggested it could be a mishap with language translation. The rider, however, confirmed that they tried various translation queries, and the only term that closely matched "kidnap" was "apaharan."

Uber's Response

The rider promptly reported the issue to Uber, who responded swiftly, informing them that the driver would be indefinitely banned from accepting ride requests. Uber assured the rider that they would investigate the matter further and could take disciplinary actions against the driver, including account termination.

Though the unsettling incident was likely a misunderstanding, it serves as a reminder of the importance of safety and vigilance when using ride-sharing services, especially late at night.