A Mumbai taxi driver was arrested after charging an Australia-based NRI businessman an inflated fare of Rs 2,800 for a mere 10-minute ride from the international airport to a hotel, using a counterfeit app.
The incident took place on December 15 when D Vijay, a businessman from Nagpur, landed in Mumbai after three years for a family reunion. Looking for a cab at midnight, Vijay was approached by Vinod Goswami, a taxi driver, who showed him a fare of Rs 2,800 on a fake app during their journey to a Vile Parle hotel. Despite doubts, Vijay did not object, fearing further issues during the ride, reported timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
Upon reaching his hotel, Vijay learned that the actual fare for the journey was only Rs 700, after consulting with the hotel staff. Realizing he had been defrauded, Vijay immediately filed a complaint via email to Mumbai Police.
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This arrest follows another similar incident on December 17, where an auto-rickshaw driver defrauded a US-based student of Rs 3,500
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Police emphasized that such fraudulent activities often target new arrivals to Mumbai, especially during late-night or early-morning hours, with unsuspecting tourists being deceived by fake app fares
Based on the mobile number and vehicle details Goswami had provided, Sahar police arrested him within 12 hours. The police also confiscated his vehicle and intensified surveillance at the airport to catch other fraudulent drivers.
Vijay also recommended better signage and help desks at the airport to prevent such incidents and protect tourists from such sca
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