The Federal Bureau of Investigation is issuing a warning about people using rideshare services to abduct minors.

In a public service announcement, the FBI said while such occurrences are “rare,” the notification was being provided “due to the high impact of such events.”

“The FBI warns the public and rideshare companies of criminal actors leveraging rideshare vehicles to abduct minor victims, due to the lower likelihood of detection and ease of facilitation,” the agency said.

“Further, during the COVID-19 pandemic, it appeared these actors believed rideshare services afforded them more privacy than traditional modes of transportation, and mask and social distancing requirements provided added privacy,” the FBI said.

The release pointed to several incidents when rideshare vehicles were used to abduct minors, including February 2021 Colorado case involving an adult male who met a minor girl on social media. The man persuaded the girl to sneak out of her home and enter a rideshare vehicle to take them to the airport where they boarded a plane to Washington, D.C. The victim was later recovered and her abductor was apprehended at the airport.

In an April case, a 16-year old boy requested a rideshare trip from Portland, Oregon to Rockport, Texas. During his ride, the rideshare driver offered him a drink and the boy later woke up in a home in Sinton, Texas. The boy walked to a nearby home and called for help. Law enforcement later arrested the rideshare driver.

People who believe they have observed suspicious behavior regarding a child abduction are asked to report it to law enforcement immediately.