The New York Federation of Taxi Drivers is raising concerns about a series of robberies targeting rideshare drivers, questioning why the NYPD did not warn drivers about the crime spree earlier. The union is also frustrated that authorities have not yet made any arrests despite reports that the suspects are using rideshare apps to book their rides.
Because of the sophisticated nature of these crimes, which involve bank and wire fraud, the NYSFTD is calling on the FBI to intervene. They have also announced a $2,000 reward for any information that leads to the arrest of the suspects.
Police say there have been nearly two dozen incidents across Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island since late November. The NYSFTD has named the group behind these robberies the “Tap and Snatch Crew.”
The NYPD released dashcam footage of one of the incidents, showing masked suspects tapping a driver and then robbing him of his phone and cash. Police say the suspects pretended to be passengers, then snatched the driver’s phone mid-ride.
Once they have access to the device, they quickly transfer money from the driver’s bank account using apps like Zelle and Venmo. Some drivers have lost thousands of dollars, with one victim reportedly losing as much as $10,000.
So far, there have been 14 robberies in Queens, six in Staten Island, and two in Brooklyn. Some victims have been threatened with knives, punched, or kicked. In some cases, the suspects also stole or destroyed dashcams, and in one incident, a driver’s AirPods were taken.
As most rideshare drivers no longer carry cash, their earnings are stored digitally, making their phones a prime target for thieves. With 80% of drivers relying on wire transfers, criminals know that stealing a phone means gaining access to digital wallets and banking apps.
“Your phone is now your cash. These predators know that by stealing a driver’s phone, they’re not just taking a device—they’re emptying bank accounts, draining digital wallets, and shutting down that driver’s ability to work. This must stop. Drivers must stay vigilant, keep phones secured, avoid handling devices during trips, and report suspicious passengers immediately,” said Fernando Mateo, NYSFTD spokesperson.
Drivers are also questioning why police have not been able to track the suspects through their rideshare accounts.
“We would think they would be. They would have made arrests already, but we don’t know how important this is to them. They need to understand how important this is to us,” Mateo said.
The union suggests that drivers should carry two phones—one for the rideshare app and another for personal banking—to help protect their finances.
The NYSFTD is also calling on the NYPD to keep them informed about emerging crime patterns.
“The NYPD must notify the NYSFTD as soon as crime patterns like this emerge. Drivers are on the frontlines every day, and we need to know when we’re being targeted. Keeping us in the dark only helps the criminals,” said Steven Rivera, NYSFTD President. “Without their phones, drivers can’t access Uber, Lyft, or any other rideshare service.”
Uber has responded to the incidents, stating that they are cooperating with the NYPD’s investigation.
“These reports are extremely alarming. Driver safety is paramount to the Uber experience, and we’re constantly investing in new safety features, like our rider verification program, and Record My Ride, to help make the platform safer and build trust,” an Uber spokesperson said.
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