‘It did not feel like his intentions were to get me safely home’ | A look at fake rideshare drivers at Atlanta airport

11Alive Investigator Savannah Levins saw the issue firsthand, capturing the interactions with a hidden camera. Within moments of walking out of baggage claim, four drivers approached her.

"You can pay however you want" and "just give me your address" were just some ways they tried to secure the gig.

They were closer, cheaper, and able to accept payment via cash or quick transfer, the drivers advertised.

But they weren't actually rideshare drivers.

"It struck me as just very odd because I know how the system works with Lyft and Uber, where you go to a certain section in Atlanta airport," Nicole Fraser said after she was approached in a similar way by a driver.

"He only approached me - a single female by myself."

Fraser said she declined the ride, but the man continued to watch and approach her.

"He watched in the corner by the exit door where the baggage claim was," she said. "I was very fearful for my life. It did not feel like his intentions were to get me safely home. There was no security around for me to even go to at that time."

After 11Alive Investigator Savannah Levins questioned the Atlanta Police Department about the presence of fake rideshare drivers, authorities confirmed that they are aware that this is happening. Now the department is ramping up efforts to address it.

"We do conduct undercover details to target solicitors," said Major Kelly Collier, Atlanta PD's Airport Precinct Commander. "We have someone assigned to the rideshare area 24 hours a day, along with our ATO enforcement officers."

Officers have arrested and issued citations to multiple people for posing as rideshare drivers at Hartsfield-Jackson, trying to coax travelers into their cars.

"We've made a number of arrests," Collier explained. "We've impounded a number of vehicles as well and issued a lot of citations."

Weeks after 11Alive Investigates started looking into the issue, APD announced it carried out an undercover operation "aimed at curtailing unauthorized rideshare activities." At least six people were cited for violating airport regulations on March 15, according to APD.

When asked what the motive could be, Collier didn't hesitate.

"Money," he said. "Monetary gain."

But when asked if police are concerned about more sinister motives like human trafficking, Collier said they're not counting anything out. 

"We're concerned about everything," he said. "It's not just one thing."

Police reports show that many of the rideshare imposters are repeat offenders, despite being banned from the airport.

Mengistu Zarzar is one of them, according to Atlanta Police.

Records show he's facing multiple charges this year alone for trying to entice travelers into his car illegally. He even took off with one couple's luggage when airport security tried to intervene, according to reports and APD body camera video.

Turns out, Zarzar has a long rap sheet. His criminal record shows multiple charges spanning several years.

A prior Clayton County arrest warrant listed him as an escape risk with violent tendencies, identifying him as armed and dangerous. Atlanta Police confirmed the department had an active warrant out for his arrest for yet another solicitation attempt at Atlanta's airport in March 2024.

When Fraser was shown his photo, she was shocked.

"This was the guy!" she exclaimed, recognizing him as the man that approached her.

"This, this hurts," she said. "I could have potentially been a victim."

State records obtained by 11Alive show Zarzar registered a chauffer business with the Georgia Secretary of State's office in March of 2022. A department spokesperson explained the Secretary of State's office accepts corporate filings as a first step to doing business in Georgia, and a corporate filing does not have bearing on the applicant's qualifications to conduct business. The office does not issue specific licenses for anything transit or rideshare related, the spokesperson said.

Officials with the City of Atlanta's Department of Finance confirmed they approved Zarzar's business liscence in 2022. 11Alive reached out to the City of Atlanta's communication office to ask if any background checks are done or licensure required for people wanting to start a for-hire transportation business in Atlanta. A week after that inquiry, as of this story's publication date, city officials still had not responded. 

Since January, police records show multiple people are facing charges for posing as rideshare drivers at the airport. 

"I'm so glad that I paid attention to that 'not right' feeling," Fraser said. "I'm so glad I didn't get in the car."

Police are asking anyone who witnesses this to report it by calling 911 or notifying airport security. 

Authorities advise double-checking that a driver is with a rideshare or taxi company.

"Don't say 'are you here to pick up Jane Doe?'" Collier advised. "Ask them, 'who are you here to pick up?' And if it is the correct person, then you want to sit in the back seat if possible. This creates more distance between you."

RELATED: Popular rideshare company Uber rolls out new safety feature in Atlanta

Rideshare companies advise people to call their rides from inside their pick-up location and to familiarize themselves with the app that they're using. They should also check the license plate before getting into a ride and ensure the driver profile matches the one in the app.

Both Uber and Lyft have smart trip check-ins that flag the company if a route keeps getting longer or has unusual deviations and will contact the rider. Users can also schedule a check-in.

Atlanta airport statement on fake rideshare drivers

11Alive Investigates also reached out to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport officials about the concern of rideshare solicitors. In a statement, an airport spokesperson said "Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is committed to the safety and security of our passengers, visitors and employees. 

We work collaboratively with the Atlanta Police Department (APD) and our Airport partners to ensure a secure and reliable ground transportation experience and remain vigilant in protecting passengers from unpermitted rideshare operations.

Our rideshare customers are reminded to use only authorized rideshare services through official apps and to meet their drivers in designated pick-up zones. Passengers should not accept solicitations from drivers."

Have a tip for 11Alive Investigators? Text "investigate" to 404-885-7600 or email us at investigates@11alive.com. Your story and information are important to us, we'll make sure it gets to the right person on the team who may be in touch.