Fake Uber driver’s ‘terrifying’ assault of teenage girl

Faizan Abdullah lured a teenage girl into his car by masquerading as her Uber driver before committing the “terrifying” attack.

Faizan Abdullah now faces deportation after his visa was cancelled following his criminal charges. Picture: Sarah Matray

A fake rideshare driver who sexually assaulted a teenage girl after tricking her into getting into his car has no remorse, a court has heard.

Faizan Abdullah, 29, had just finished his shift as a security guard in Brunswick shortly after 1.30am when he spotted the year 12 student on the footpath waiting for her booked driver to arrive in February last year.

Abdullah pulled up in front of the then-17-year-old, rolled down his window and asked “Uber?” before encouraging the victim to get in the front passenger seat.

During a plea hearing in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday, the court heard the teenager realised something was wrong a few minutes later when she received a notification from her legitimate Uber driver saying he had arrived.

Abdullah then began driving erratically through the side streets of Brunswick for several minutes and asked the victim probing questions about her boyfriend before pulling over outside a dimly lit factory.

As the victim got out of the car, Abdullah quickly grabbed her and pinned her against a fence, telling her “you’re gorgeous” and attempting to forcing his hand under her dress.

In a tearful victim impact statement to the court, the young woman said she is still riddled with terrifying flashbacks of the night and has become isolated from her friends, family and boyfriend.

“He has put me through something so disgusting and horrific … my mind and my thoughts will never be the same,” she said.

Prosecutor Peter Pickering said Abdullah was an opportunistic predator who had shown no remorse.

Prosecutor Peter Pickering said Abdullah ignored his victim’s cries to stop and only left after being interrupted by a loud noise from a nearby house party.


The Pakistani national was arrested at his Elsternwick home the following day, but quickly shifted the blame to his teenage victim, telling investigators she had come onto him.

“He stated she was wearing a short dress which was very appealing,” Mr Pickering told the court.

“He stated she rubbed his leg (in the car) and that he felt uncomfortable,” he said.

During his arrest, officers seized his phone and discovered disturbing child abuse material, including photos and videos depicting victims aged as young as six months old.


On Monday, Abdullah pleaded guilty to sexual assault and possessing child abuse material after spending more than 470 in custody.


Mr Pickering said the security guard, who had also worked as an Uber Eats delivery driver, was an opportunistic predator who had shown no remorse.

“This is not a casual grab, this is someone who takes her to an isolated place (and) forces her up against a fence,” Mr Pickering said. 
“The whole time she is saying stop, she doesn’t want it,” he said.


Abdullah’s defence lawyer submitted Abdullah should be released on time already served, citing his client’s guilty plea and lack of prior convictions.

The court heard the Deakin University PhD student had suffered a “significant” fall from grace and faced deportation after his visa was cancelled following his criminal charges.

Magistrate Donna Bakos will deliver sentence on Thursday.