New scam targeting taxi drivers reported in Thiruvananthapuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A new scam focusing on online taxi drivers has been reported in the city. Booking fake rides and promising to pay in advance, scammers send fraudulent messages mimicking that of banks and ask the drivers to pay back the money. A taxi driver from Karikkakom in Thiruvananthapuram has reported that he lost Rs 3,999 due to the scam.

Scammers will book a ride through a prominent ride-hailing app, claim that they are booking it for another person, and will promise to pay the amount before the ride itself. A fake message, similar to that sent from a bank, will also be sent to the driver’s mobile that a higher amount has been transacted to the driver’s account.