Fake Uber driver charged with raping a 20-year-old trying to get home from a night out in Melbourne


The terrifying warning every young woman needs to read: Fake Uber driver is charged with RAPING a 20-year-old trying to get home from a night out when she got into his car

  • Woman allegedly raped after getting in what she thought was rideshare service
  • Police allege the driver offered her lift home before driving her to nearby street
  • Victim raised the alarm by sending text message to friend, who contacted police
  • Mill Park man charged with two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault
  • Uber and other rideshare services have offered top tips to staying safe  

A man has been accused of raping a young Melbourne woman who allegedly got into his car believing it was a rideshare service, as businesses urge users to always check the vehicle’s make, model and licence plate.

Police allege the woman, 20, got into the vehicle near the intersection of Peel and Oxfords streets in inner-city Fitzroy shortly before 2.30am on April 30.

The driver is alleged to have offered the woman a lift home after leaving a licensed premises in nearby Smith Street.

He drove the woman to a location 2.5km away in Rowe Street, Fitzroy North where he allegedly sexually assaulted the woman in the vehicle. 

Uber and other rideshare services urge users to always check the licence plate and car’s make and model before getting in, and always to book their car using the official app. 

The woman got into what she thought was a ride-share vehicle near the intersection of Peel and Oxfords streets (pictured) in Fitzroy in the early hours of last Friday

The woman got into what she thought was a ride-share vehicle near the intersection of Peel and Oxfords streets (pictured) in Fitzroy in the early hours of last Friday

The victim managed to raise the alarm and alert a friend via text message, who reported to the incident to police, who arrived a short time later.

The driver, 50 from Mill Park in Melbourne’s north-east was arrested by Sexual Crimes Squad detectives on Tuesday night.

He has since been charged with two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault and was due to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court late Wednesday. 

Ride-share company Uber urges customers to keep safe by checking the vehicle they get in matches the plate number, make and model details provided beforehand in the app.

Passengers are also urged to check the driver’s photo.

HOW TO STAY SAFE IN A RIDESHARE CAR 

1. Check your ride, every time

You can make sure the car you’re getting into matches the details shown in your rideshare app in 3 easy steps:

Match the licence plate number.

Match the car’s make and model.

Check the driver’s photo.

2. Begin every ride with the app

Using the app is the only way to request a ride. It’s the simplest and safest way to get where you need to go, and we don’t offer the capability to hail a ride on the street.

3. Make sure your pickups and drop offs are safe

When you request your ride, keep an eye out for road hazards and no-stopping zones. Try to find somewhere safe for your driver to stop close by and use the anonymised calling and messaging feature in the app to let them know where you are. Before exiting a vehicle always look over your shoulder, and keep an eye out for cyclists, cars, pedestrians and scooters.

4. Share your journey with friends or family

With a quick tap, you can share where you are and where you’re headed with anyone in your device’s contact list so they can follow your ride in real time.

Source: Uber

Police allege the driver sexually assaulted the young woman in his vehicle before she raised the alarm by texting a friend (stock image)

Police allege the driver sexually assaulted the young woman in his vehicle before she raised the alarm by texting a friend (stock image)

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