In a terrifying turn of events, a Gurugram resident had to abandon their travel plans and rush back to safety after receiving a bone-chilling message from an Uber driver. The incident, shared on Reddit by user kushpyro1 under the subreddit r/Gurgaon, unfolded on a Saturday morning when the resident booked a ride to Anand Vihar Terminal.
The user narrated the incident, revealing they had booked a Priority Sedan Cab to catch a train. As the driver neared their location, the passenger checked their phone to verify the OTP and stumbled upon a shocking message in the Uber chat: "I want to kidnap you."
"I am shivering while writing this. I have a train in an hour, and God knows if I’ll reach there on time," the user wrote, recounting the ordeal.
A Narrow Escape
Panicked yet quick-thinking, the passenger immediately took a screenshot of the chat and attempted to cancel the ride. "When I began to cancel, the driver canceled the ride himself. I ran back into my house with my luggage," the post read. The driver, identified as Chandan, was reportedly driving a Maruti Suzuki Dzire.
Autocorrect or Threat?
The post included a screenshot of the chat where the driver’s last message read, "I want to go to kidnap you happily." Reddit users were divided in their reactions. While some speculated it might have been an autocorrect error, others suggested reporting the incident to authorities or Uber’s customer support.
Seeking Justice and Safety
"I’m left wondering—what just happened? Is there somewhere I can report this? I’m genuinely scared and unsure how to proceed to reach my station," the passenger wrote.
Some users advised the victim to escalate the matter by posting about it on X (formerly Twitter), as Uber actively responds to complaints there.
Uber's Accountability
Incidents like this raise concerns about passenger safety during app-based cab rides. Whether it was a horrifying typo or a sinister intention, such messages can traumatize passengers and highlight the need for stricter driver vetting and communication monitoring systems.
While the resident’s quick actions ensured their safety, the incident is a grim reminder of the unexpected dangers that can arise during routine travel. Uber has yet to issue a statement on the matter.