For the city World Cup he runs with the consmen.
Gothamites and travelers alike are at risk of falling prey to scammers posing as taxi and ride-share drivers at NYC-area airports as millions fly into the city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, officials warn.
Airport hustlers, men and women who provide illegal transportation services to unsuspecting travelers, are the targets of the Port Authority’s new $100 million, multi-pronged program, Operation Legal Ride. It is a landmark operation 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 English speakers, through an unfamiliar environment for those new to the region or our country,” said Kathryn Garcia, Port Authority Executive Director, in a statement this week. “This multi-site problem requires a multi-pronged solution, and that’s exactly what we’re proud of today, working with our partners across the city and state to strengthen our efforts and end this dangerous practice.”
Airport car service fraud is a threat to public safety as competitors may trade expensive and unsafe vehicles for uninsured vehicles. These scammers, who are the core group of repeat offenders, according to the Port Authority’s analysis, may also not have the proper licenses – certificates obtained by official taxi, limousine and ride-share professionals – to provide lifts.
JFK Airport is a major focus of the Port Authority’s operations, due to the airport’s large capacity for international arrivals.
Crowds of soccer fans are expected to flock to the Big Apple and the Garden State for the World Cup, which kicks off on Thursday, in the coming weeks. Eight matches, including a match between Brazil and Morocco on June 13 and the final in mid-July, are scheduled for New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
The campaign includes dozens of Port Authority officials and New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) law enforcement personnel at all three major airports dedicated to law enforcement.
It will also, subject offenders to additional license areas, eventually license suspensions for repeat offenders and the threat of arrest by the Port Authority Police Department (PAPD) if they operate a vehicle on airport roads with a suspended license.
Fraudsters whose cars are towed and impounded for congestion will also be forced to pay a new vehicle recovery fee — a fine levied to recoup a fair share of the Port Authority’s enforcement costs.
The agency also aims to protect motorists in and around the city, provide new prosecution resources, facilitate timely prosecutions, and prevent delays in fines for violators.
New technology to enable real-time detection and enforcement targeting known repeat offenders, as well as a multi-lingual outreach program – bulletins warning guests of illegal scams through in-flight announcements, terminal signage, and social media advertising – will also be used 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 exploited by taxi cab criminals,” said New York Governor Kathy Hochul. “Your trip to the city shouldn’t involve getting a ride from scammers.”
“That’s why the Port Authority, DMV, and our partners across the state are fighting racketeering, making our airports safer and putting these criminals out of business.”
New Jersey Gov. Mike Sherrill echoed the sentiment, saying, “Visitors to our state deserve a warm welcome, not a shove.”
“I commend the Port Authority in working with city and state partners to address this problem and protect travelers and hard-working, law-abiding drivers.”
