Mumbai Airport Scam: NRI Charged Rs 2,800 for 10-Minute Taxi Ride – Here’s What Happened Next – Airlines/Aviation News

An NRI arriving at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport was overcharged by Rs 2,800 for a short 10-minute taxi ride to Vile Parle, revealing yet another case of travel scam targeting unsuspecting passengers. The incident took place on December 15 and led to the swift arrest of the taxi driver involved, reports the Indian Express.

The victim, D Vijay, a native of Nagpur, who lives in Australia, landed at 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, tricking Vijay into agreeing to the exorbitant cost of the trip.

Despite passing the airport’s prepaid taxi counter, Vijay chose to go with Goswami. After arriving at the hotel, he became suspicious after learning from the staff that their pickup service costs only 700 lei.

The police tracked down the driver

Realizing that he had been duped, Vijay sent an email to the Sahar Police Station, providing details of the transaction and the mobile number of the driver. The police acted quickly, tracking down 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 that he could be contacted for future trips – perhaps an attempt to build trust and avoid immediate suspicion.

This is not the first time such an incident has been reported at the Mumbai International Airport. In early December, Mumbai police arrested a 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 problem of overcharging travelers, especially those arriving from international destinations.

Sahar Police urged passengers to remain vigilant and use official channels such as prepaid counters or trusted apps to avoid falling prey to scams. They also reiterated the importance of reporting such incidents to ensure rapid action.

The speedy resolution of this case underscores Mumbai Police’s commitment to addressing commuter complaints, but also calls for increased measures to prevent such scams in the first place.

Tips for travelers

1. Use prepaid taxi services: Always opt for airport prepaid counters for fixed and reasonable fares.
2. Check apps and drivers: Make sure the apps and drivers you’re using are legitimate and affiliated with recognized platforms.
3. Check fares in advance: Familiarize yourself with approximate taxi fares to your destination beforehand travel.
4. Report overloading immediately: If overloaded, report the driver to the nearest police station or airport authority.

Courts like these serve as a reminder for travelers to be cautious and for authorities to tighten regulations to protect passengers from such fraudulent practices.