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The city’s World Cup runneth over with conmen.
Gothamites and guests alike are in danger of falling prey to fraudsters posing as taxi and ride-share drivers stationed at NYC-area airports as millions fly into the city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, officials warn.
Airport hustling scammers, men and women offering illegal transportation services to unwitting travelers, are the targets of the Port Authority’s new $100 million, multi-pronged initiative, Operation Legal Ride. It’s a monumental mission aimed at combating unauthorized solicitation at John F. Kennedy International (JFK), Newark Liberty International (EWR) and LaGuardia (LGA) airports.
“Hustlers target vulnerable travelers, first-time visitors and non-English speakers, by taking advantage of unfamiliar surroundings for those who are new to our region or country,” Kathryn Garcia, Port Authority Executive Director, said in a statement this week.
“This multi-jurisdictional problem requires a multi-pronged solution, and that’s exactly what we’re proud to deliver today, working with our partners across the city and the state to bolster our efforts and end this dangerous practice.”
Car service swindling at airports is a public safety threat as hustlers may be hawking overpriced and unsafe rides in under-insured vehicles. These scammers, a core group of repeat offenders, according to a Port Authority analysis, may also not have the proper licenses — certifications earned by legitimate taxi, limousine and ride-share professionals — to provide lifts.
JFK Airport is a particular focus of the Port Authority’s crusade, owing to the plane station’s high volume of international arrivals.
Swarms of soccer zealots are expected to touchdown in both the Big Apple and the Garden State for the World Cup, kicking off Thursday, in the coming weeks. Eight games, including a matchup between Brazil and Morocco on June 13 and the finals in mid-July, are scheduled to take place at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
The campaign features a surge of Port Authority officers and New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) enforcement personnel across all three major airports dedicated to hustling enforcement.
It will, too, subject perpetrators to added license points, eventual license suspensions for repeat offenders, and the threat of being placed under arrest by the Port Authority Police Department (PAPD) if they operate a vehicle on airport roads with a suspended license.
Con artists whose vehicles are towed and impounded in connection with hustling activities will also be forced to pay new, increased costs for vehicle redemption — a surcharge imposed to recoup a fair share of the Port Authority’s enforcement costs.
The movement also seeks to protect sanctioned drivers in and around the city, providing new prosecutorial resources, streamlining timely prosecution, and preventing the delay of fines for violators.
New technologies to enable real-time detection and targeted enforcement against known repeat offenders, along with a multi-language outreach program — bulletins alerting visitors to illegal hustling scams through in-flight announcements, terminal signage, and social media advertising — will also be implemented at JFK, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty.
“Our airports are New York’s gateway to the world, and no visitor to our state should have to worry about being taken advantage of by predatory taxi hustlers,” said New York Governor Kathy Hochul. “Your trip to the city should not include being taken for a financial ride by scammers.”
“That’s why the Port Authority, DMV, and partners across government are cracking down on hustling, making our airports safer and putting these criminals out of business.”
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill echoed similar sentiments, saying, “Visitors to our region deserve a warm welcome, not a shakedown.”
“I commend the Port Authority for partnering with city and state partners to tackle this problem and protect travelers and hardworking drivers who follow the rules.”
