An NRI who arrived at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport was overcharged a staggering Rs 2,800 for a short 10-minute cab ride to Vile Parle, exposing yet another instance of travel scams targeting unsuspecting passengers. The incident occurred on December 15 and led to the swift arrest of the taxi driver involved, reports Indian Express.
The victim, D Vijay, a native of Nagpur who resides in Australia, landed at the airport around midnight. As he exited the terminal, taxi driver Vinod Goswami approached him and convinced him to use his service. Goswami reportedly used a fake app to display an inflated fare, duping Vijay into agreeing to the exorbitant ride cost.
Despite passing by the airport’s pre-paid cab counter, Vijay chose to go with Goswami. Upon reaching his hotel, he grew suspicious after learning from the staff that their pick-up service costs only Rs 700.
Police Track Down the Driver
Realizing he had been scammed, Vijay emailed the Sahar Police Station, providing details of the transaction and the driver’s mobile number. The police acted swiftly, tracking Goswami within 12 hours of the complaint. They arrested him and seized his vehicle as evidence.
Goswami had even given Vijay his contact number, suggesting he could be reached for future rides—likely an attempt to build trust and avoid immediate suspicion.
This isn’t the first time such an incident has been reported at Mumbai’s international airport. Earlier in December, the Mumbai Police arrested an auto-rickshaw driver for overcharging a 19-year-old passenger from Sangli, who had just returned from the United States. These cases highlight the recurring issue of overcharging travellers, particularly those arriving from international destinations.
The Sahar Police have urged passengers to remain vigilant and use official channels like pre-paid counters or trusted ride-hailing apps to avoid falling victim to scams. They have also reiterated the importance of reporting such incidents to ensure swift action.
The swift resolution of this case underscores the Mumbai Police’s commitment to addressing traveller grievances, but it also calls for increased measures to prevent such scams in the first place.
Tips for Travelers
- Use Pre-Paid Cab Services: Always opt for the pre-paid counters at airports for fixed and reasonable fares.
- Verify Apps and Drivers: Ensure the apps and drivers you use are legitimate and affiliated with recognized platforms.
- Check Fares in Advance: Familiarise yourself with approximate cab fares to your destination before travel.
- Report Overcharging Immediately: If overcharged, report the driver to the nearest police station or airport authority.
Instances like these serve as a reminder for travellers to stay cautious and for authorities to tighten regulations to protect passengers from such fraudulent practices.