Scottsdale Uber Impersonator Steals Over $290,000 in Cryptocurrency: A Shocking Crime Uncovered!

Shocking Crime in Scottsdale

A man accused of posing as an Uber driver has allegedly stolen more than $290,000 in cryptocurrency from unsuspecting victims he picked up at the W Hotel in Scottsdale.

On March 31, 2024, Nuruhessin Hussein called out the name of a person waiting for an Uber ride, and the victim unknowingly got into his vehicle. It's still a mystery how Hussein knew the victim's name. According to court documents, he asked to use the victim's phone for directions, claiming that his phone had just died. The victim, trusting Hussein, handed over his phone, which allowed Hussein to transfer approximately $97,000 in cryptocurrency to himself.

The victim later requested his phone back, to which Hussein dismissed him by saying to "chill out." During this unsettling encounter, the victim noticed a gun in the vehicle's center console, which heightened his sense of danger. After being dropped off, he discovered the unauthorized transfer and promptly contacted the police.

On October 11, 2024, Hussein struck again, approaching another victim in the same manner in the W Parking lot. This time, he requested the victim's phone to cancel an Uber ride scheduled with another driver. While in possession of the victim's phone, he allegedly transferred two bitcoins, valued at $98,000 each at the time of his arrest, to his own accounts. The victim became aware of the theft when he received overnight notifications about the transactions.

Financial crimes detectives linked the transfers to Hussein's accounts, leading to his arrest on December 11, 2024. He now faces multiple charges, including money laundering, fraudulent schemes, and theft.

Uber's Safety Reminder

Uber has a safety reminder for riders:
"Every time you take a trip with Uber, please make sure you’re getting into the right car with the right driver by matching the license plate, car make and model, and driver photo with what’s provided in your app. Uber trips can only be requested through the app, so never get in a car where the vehicle or driver identity doesn't match what’s displayed in your app."