A massive scam exploiting Uber Eats’ refund options has recently been uncovered, revealing an organized scam running through a Telegram channel named Fast Eat. The total damage? Over 2.4 million euros!
How Did the Scammers Operate?
The scam was based on a tempting offer: Uber Eats meals at half price. The process involved placing an order through Uber Eats and then requesting a fraudulent refund, claiming that the order was never received. The refunds were then shared between the creators of the Telegram channel and the users, thus delivering the promised 50% discount.
The channel provided an automated service that created new Uber Eats accounts for each order. This practice helped prevent the fraud from being detected, especially by avoiding the repeated use of a single account. In total, about 140,000 fraudulent accounts were reportedly created.
A Record Scam of 2.4 Million Euros
Two suspects have been arrested, one in Saint-Nazaire and the other in Nanterre. They have been charged for organized fraud and managing an illicit transaction platform. The amount involved is substantial: 2.4 million euros (a significant sum, even though the division’s revenue was one billion euros in 2021…).
Uber Eats has clarified that no breach of its systems occurred, ruling out any hacking. It’s worth noting that the platform uses fraud detection tools (analysis of suspicious behavior linked to the same phone or credit card) to identify this type of activity – making this scheme particularly risky. The company welcomes the arrest of the alleged instigators and is strengthening its anti-fraud measures.
This case highlights the vulnerabilities of online refund systems and the ingenuity of cybercriminals in exploiting the weaknesses of major platforms. This is a situation that Apple has been familiar with for years, given the numerous scams it has fallen victim to.