Thursday 5 November 2015

The Taxi Scam at Dadar Station

Dadar station, at the centre of Mumbai, is already bustling at 5 am. People are heading to/from work, flower and fish vendors are chatting away on the platform, and one can hear the occasional honking car outside.The station is divided into two sections – Central and Western – joined together by an overhead passenger walkway. 

As Konkan Kanya pulls to a stop on one of the Central Line tracks at the crack of dawn, I lug my heavy suitcase out and curse myself for packing so much. 

Happens every time. 

The thought of staggering with the weight, up the stairs to the walkway, across it to the Western side, down the stairs and into another train is exhausting.

“Madam, taxi?” a turbaned taxi driver asks.

A few drivers are waiting at the platform for passengers, unlike the rest of them who wait outside by their cars. They are approaching people who have gotten off the inter-city trains which seem to be arriving every 15 minutes or so. 

This man offers to carry my suitcase, and I quickly follow him. Outside, his taxi is parked in a narrow lane that’s beginning to light up with shops. He puts the suitcase next to me in the backseat and gets behind the wheel.

Just then, another man sits in the front passenger seat. Before the driver can start the car, I stop him.

“Who is this?” I ask.

“Old passenger. I need to give him change.”

“So get him change from one of the shops. I will not let the cab leave with this man sitting here.”

They look at each other. And then one of them asks me “Do you have change for Rs. 1000?”

I knew for a fact, beyond any doubt, that I had only Rs. 500 notes in my purse. The smaller notes were in my pocket and stuffed into various bag pockets.

I open the purse and give him two notes of Rs. 500 each and he hands me the Rs. 1000.

Before getting out, the man in the passenger seat says “Madam, you have given me one 500 note and one 100. See?” He shows me the notes and hands me back the 100.

I knew then, that something didn’t feel right. I had only 500 notes in my purse... didn’t I?

Maybe I didn’t.

I take the 100, and give him a 500 note. He leaves.

The driver fidgeted for a while. Irritated, I asked, “Now what?”

“We need to fill petrol. It will take 20 minutes” he said.

Argh! I needed to go home, and come all the way back to Dadar in two hours to get to work. I didn’t have 20 minutes to spare. And the prospect of taking a 15 minute catnap at home seemed to be slipping away.

So I take my bags, get out, and look for another taxi.

The episode was forgotten.

SIX MONTHS LATER

There I was again, getting off the 5 am train with a ginormous bag, cursing myself. Some things never change.

“Madam, taxi?”

It was a different turbaned man. However, the events that unfolded thereafter were identical. This time, I was better prepared.

“Old passenger.” He said. “Do you have change?”

“No”

“Madam pliss check.”

“Nope. No change."

Passenger gets out. The driver? He needs to fill petrol again. He courteously tells me in Hindi, “this will take time, and you will be delayed, You can get a taxi down the road. Just a five minute walk!”

I was furious, but it was dark, and there were not many people this time around. Using my better judgement, I left and got another taxi. The entire ride home, I Googled.and what I found wasn’t surprising anymore. 

Page after page of cheated people had shared their experiences. What was worse were the comments from foreign tourists who had already formed their first impression of Mumbai and India because of one cheating taxi driver.

My taxi pulled up at the building and I asked the man at the wheel, “There’s something wrong with the taxis in that lane, isn’t there?”

He laughed and said “Those cars never leave that lane. They never take passengers. Their business is that of switching notes.”
____

P.S. While many of the reviews on Google date back to 2008, I still find a few from as recent as Sept 2015 on Twitter. Maybe the police have a hand in the matter (Indian police.. who knows?) or maybe the drivers are just plain shameless. All I can do is tell you about it.. and hope that you tell someone else. 

P.P.S. If you're following me on Facebook and Twitter, you probably know that my next post is on "Things To Do in Mumbai that Don't Involve Eating." Comment below and give me your suggestions. Best ones will be featured with credits! No Bandra (bandstand + shopping), Juhu beach or Marine drive pleeeaaase!

Image credit - indianexpress.com

183 comments :

  1. Something similar happened with me and my husband when we were travelling back home from Mumbai Airport. In same as your case we were so tired that we could't remember what exact note we handed over to the taxi driver but later when we counted a 1000 Rs note was missing from my wallet.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Payal! Yes I just got to know of that. Never experienced it since there's prepaid taxis and autos available that go by the meter.

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    2. This happens everywhere in Mumbai..Lamington road, croferd market,C.S.T,Manish market, Haji-Ali everywhere..... The city never sleeps n you are not allowed to take a nap either ;)
      #keep_it_cool_n_be_sharp_all_the_time :)
      Good post to read..thnx ton

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    3. Hell yeah what a place it is... :(

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    4. Same thing happened with me in mumbai airport, at pre paid taxi counter.

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    5. The same story happened with me in 2008..I immediately understood the story and grabbed the driver locked in police station, got my money back and released later.

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    6. Ditto.. I was coming byculla from dadar.. Gave d driver 500 ka note n Dat fellow is saying that "u gave me 100 ka note Fata huda." I was so angry coz I knew I only had 500 notes wit me..I argued alot but he was adamant..

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    7. experienced the same ..he was a dressed as a sardar...but i was smart enough to understand their plan...got out n approached a traffic police...n in reply the police says..u should book a prepaid cab..its just out at the maingate...n made me feel guilt about it..ha ha ha..m damn sure he mightb earning his bit of share too ;) slapped myself

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    8. THE SAID THINGS HAPPEND WITH ME ON 31ST JANUARY WHEN MY PARENTS CAME FRM OUTSIDE MUMBAI AT DADAR STATION I HIRED A CAB FRM DADAR EAST I HAD 900 RUPPES IN MY PURSE ONE 500 AND 4 100 NOTES WHICH I WITHDRAW FRM ATM ... TAXI REACHED MY PLACE AT GKP WEST AMT IN METER WAS 450 QUITE SHOCKED AS MAXIMUM FARE NY HOW IN NIGTH ON SUNDAY WITHOUT TRAFFIC COMES TO 250 HE SAID ITS AC TAXI OK.. LET GO WITH THT AS METER SHOWING 450 .. I GIVE HIM 500 NOTE AND SAW OUTSIDE TAXI FOR A MOMENT HE SAID SIR U GAVE ME 100 NOTE... I WAS CONFUSED AND GAVE HIM 350 MORE.. WHILE REACHING HOME I JUST CHECKED AGAIN .. AND NEXT DAY WHN I SAW THESE MSG ABT CON TAXI SCAM .. I THT IN 15 YEARS IN MUMBAI I M CHEATED ONCE AND THT TOO IN DADAR EAST.. I THINK ALL TRAFFIC N POLICE N GRP MEN KNEW ABT IT BT NO ONE DOING ANYTHING... MH 01 5244 WAGON R IS THE KAALI PEELI TAXI

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  2. all u got to do is to note down the taxi number ...n report it to the police..stations...n try to record his face ...n the passenger ...

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    1. Haha police knows all stuff they are supporter behind the scene ..

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    2. Hi hiren u see their is a prepaid taxi stand still private cabbies tend to enter very near the station to lure the passengers and then they fool you, but they get so near only with the help of police or else how your taxi will reach the nearest place to station and con the passenger

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    3. If it is a TURBAND Sikhs doing this,pls click his picture ,take time visit Dasmesh Darbar Gurudwara at koliwada,submit and show that picture to the head and tell him about ur fleecing ,,,all these dadar stn drivers are from koliwada......

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    4. Happened to me at Santa Cruz airport in 2001. The taxi driver took my foreign currency saying he would give me a good rate. He had taken 50000 yen from me and told me that I had given him only 40000 yen.

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  3. Never take taxi from Dadar east. Most of them are crooks. Its better to take a cab from Dadar West. You would have to cross the bridge with luggage but it is better than getting fleeced.

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    1. and never take taxi service offered by people on the platform . they are on the prowl to take advantage of people who alight in the early hours of morning after tedious jorney and cheat them . there is a danger that they may loot too

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    2. Hand in gloves with the traffic police dept ...

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  4. Use radio taxi, book your taxi over the phone and have a safe journey or do not entertain taxi drivers who approach you on the platform or somewhere else walk to the taxi station and take the taxi from there. Be alert in Mumbai

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  5. These incident have occurred with our family and extended family thrice since 1998. Even the cops don't care

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    Replies
    1. Wow! 1998? Are you sure?

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    2. I fell for the same sometime in 2010! That time they (turbaned man, and his co-passenger) dropped us where we wanted to go, but switched notes when we paid the fair.

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  6. Something similar happened with me and my wife when we were travelling back home from Mumbai dadar station . In same as your case we were so tired. He similarly asked me the 1000 rs change instead i didnt told that i have. so for long time he said pls check. the same practise happen one gentle turbenman excorted me and another gentleman sat in Taxi. Immediately i observed there is some problem. when he asked for 1000 i said no i dont have . previous he was ready to go. Immediately i turned back and saw my luggage and there was some movement behind me . The other driver came and said that i cant go pls hire other taxi. so immediately i vacant and took other taxi and went..... I will personaly say please make you use of station booth taxi fare whatever line it is .....

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  7. Thanks girl for sharing your experience, its indeed valuable. I am a Mumbaikar...like all the relatives here hence I have not known or experienced such a thing.. Again thanks for sharing and aalerting... Indeed valuable.

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  8. Same experience with one of my friends at night while traveling from Mumbai domestic airport... They changed his 500 note to 100 and on arguing, became aggressive.. Never take cab from a remote lane.. Prepaid is the best..

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  9. Shit!! I got cheated too once exact same way.. I'm sure police has a hand in it!

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  10. Even if the driver drops you at your destination and takes your money, he will switch notes and say that you underpaid him.

    I am happy with Uber and Ola. Hope that the government promotes them too!

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    1. Similar thing happened to me driver drops me at my destination and takes my money, he never put up the meter and charged me 450 bucks for 5 kms.... i was new to mumbai...then he switch my 500 note with 100 and say that I underpaid him. I threatened him to take him to police...he said.."1 at night... sure.. chaliye". I got so scared.. I just left in irritation...

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  11. I experienced a similar thing at Mumbai central station 6 years back when this cab driver told me that it's a pre-paid taxi and I need to pay upfront to another man. He asked me 500 bucks to be paid for a trip to Dadar. As I was new so I took out 500 rupee-note and paid to the other man while the cab driver tried to divert my attention by talking. But I kept an eye on the other man and saw him putting that note in his pocket and then he took out a 100 rupee note and said where are the other 400 bucks. I told him that I have paid a 500 rupee note. He denied. I got furious, caught him by neck and pulled the 500 rupee note from his pocket and refused to pay the cab driver till he drops me at the venue. Then I found that Dadar is just 20 min away from Mumbai Central. I pulled out Rs. 200 and gave it to him because the distance was so less. He started shouting then I raised my voice and told him either to fuck off or come with me to police station. He mumbled and left. It was my first experience with Mumbai. I was so angry that I would have thrashed this guy if my wife would not have been with me. That was time when neither we had GPS nor app based taxis. Now one should always check the distance before taking an app and also keep an eye on the route followed on Google maps. Never pay anyone in advance except at authorised pre-paid counters, never travel with another person and never offer change to Rs. 1000 or Rs. 500 because many a times even the notes are counterfeit.

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  12. Same thing happened with my relatives in August when they travelled from hyderabad to Mumbai

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  13. Yes have faced it. You don't try to mess with them because first of all you are not sure of what you gave them and secondly you are with family/ tired/ stressed about your luggage/ thoughtful of the other person standing there... This thing should stop.. Many don't report because they are not sure / have no proof..

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  14. Thanks dear for alerting me. I usually travel to Goa once a month or may be once in 45 days. And yes, I travel back to Mumbai by konkan kanya so that I can go to school thereafter.... and not miss a day. I have always seen some turban guy coming towards me and asking whether I need a cab....I don't take a cab because I hardly have any baggage. I cross over and take the western train to malad, which is faster than a cab. It's quite possible that I may have baggage next time, and may need a cab. But now on, I shall be careful..


    Thanks so much once again.

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  15. I have faced it too, the turbaned driver dropped me at my place. Then as I was paying for the fare, started to rain. The fee was around 300, paid using 500 note. As I collect my luggage he reaches over and says it's a 100 rupee note. Since the lights are dim and it's raining, I give him 200 more and then leave. Only later realising that I ended up paying double the amount. The guy runs a Maruti Van, and looks like has fleeced many people.

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  16. Yes I have faced Same problem.. I gave 1000/- rupees to auto drive in return he said madam apne muje 50 rupees dI ya... I was alone late night at 11.00 p.m.. but I faught with the auto driver and i told him... i will take him to the policy station and took my money back...

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  17. Pls use uber ola.. These are reasons why such tech app based tsxi service providers exist..

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    Replies
    1. Hi Vish! Thanks for writing in! I'm sure if people anticipated being fleeced in advance, they would have opted for Uber and Ola. Sadly, that's not the case.

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    2. Hi jade! Now that you have read the story, u don't have any problem anticipating.

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    3. I've actually written it :)

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    4. Loved the comment above- "Now that you have READ the story"!!
      ROFL..

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  18. Similar incident happened with me too at Mumbai's domestic terminal. It was 4am and I had to catch a 5.45am flight. Later when I counted the money in my purse I realised I had been cheated!

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  19. I always had that doubt when I was duped the same way.. Coz i was very sure that I 2 500 notes with me. And now i have realized that it is a common practising for duping passenger at that station.

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  20. I feel little consolidated after reading this. I am not alone. Similar thing happened with me on 10th Sep, 2014 at the same place at around same time. They just take advantage of good senses of people.

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    Replies
    1. If you mean good nature probably yeah they did take advantage. But who in the world gives some XYZ change of Rs1000 without making sure.Some people are just born to be fleeced.

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  21. This happened with me too at airport ....but in my case he told me that mam you HV given 2 notes of rs 100. And in dilemma I ended up by giving 2000 rs.. :(

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  22. I am 61 yrs. and born & brought up in Mumbai. I have come across many such taxi drivers at Dadar CR soliciting customers inside at the platform. Most of them are the turbanned class. Having read about such cheating cases in the newspapers, I have always (as a rule) avoided them.

    Once a taxi driver was following me at the platform offering his services and he was stinking of alcohol. Initially I kept refusing him but he wouldn't budge and kept following me. I lost my cool, gave him a mouthful and asked him whether he is going drive after drinking. He must have got scared and ran off.

    Other modus operandi of these cabbies is like this. If you let them know that you have to go to Thane or Navi Mumbai, they try to impress upon you that not all taxies have permit to go beyond the Mumbai check posts and he has that permit to ply there. Once you are in, he also picks up another person on the front seat and says he is a friend who will be dropped along the way.He takes you till the check post but halts just before the check post and says that he forgot to bring the permit hence cannot go beyond. Then asks for some exorbitant fare. The passenger (a lady) is scared to argue because there are two guys in the cab. She pays what ever was asked and when about to get off, the same old story of "Madam you paid X amount instead of X+".

    I have very closely observed these guys. They operate only late, late nights or very early mornings. And the traffic cops are extremely pally with guys. You understand what I mean?

    Recently I arrived at Dadar from Chennai by Chennai-Mumbai Mail. It reaches Dadar at 3-3.30 am. The same set of turbanated drivers were after me. I told them I am taking a pre-paid taxi. Their reply was at 3.30 in the morning it will cost me one and half times the normal fare (which is true) but they will charge regular fare. Very softly i told him even if it cost me twice I will still take the pre paid, because I know that I am NOT CHEATED there.

    Hence my advise to all of you is that please avail of pre paid services wherever available. Even if it is slighly costlier, you have satisfaction of not being cheated.

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  23. i and my wife with a lot of luggage alighted from chennai mail at dadar in the early hours of 28 aug this year, i had decided to talke the help of police/prepaid taxi to go to virar. as soon as i alighted there was this cab man asking us to hire him . he had metered taxi we were told. in a moment of 'confusion' i agreed. i was told after we started we have to pay half the return fare as per rule i ageed to that too when we reached home i gave him 7 notes of 500 rs from the remaining lot of the bundle of 500 rs notes (which i had earlier checked and have been monitoring from time to time. i have been paying from that for sundry expenses during our stay at chennaii for my daughter's wedding) after taking a few steps away from me he says i had given him some 50 rs notes instead of 500 rs notes and shows me the notes i had supposedly given. there were three 50 rs notes instead of 500 rs notes . in a state of stunned mind i say my god and then replace those with 500 rs notes.i realised my folly after he had gone. the watchman of our building happened to be there to carry our luggage. i realise i should have challenged the taxi driver and refused to cater to any complaint after the notes were taken out of my sight and threatened him wiith police complaint. so these taxi fellows at the platform should not be entertained even if some of them may be genuine. thet have no business to be there. if my wife would not have fallen ill after our arrival-she was ill during the journey too that is why she suggested to hire a taxi from dadar- i would have gone to dadar stn to lodge a complaint with railway police so that these illegal people are not permitted on the platform. there are licensed porters to carry the luggage to the taxi stand where cabs/people should wait for their turn. pre paid taxi service should be made available 24x 7

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  24. I have faced this myself and I am also a turbaned guy, unfortunately we get remembered for the good and mostly the bad because its so easy, but yes this is true and the ass@#$% had the audacity to play kirtan and then cheat me with it. He did it thrice in the trip and we fell for it. A couple of years later we were traveling in Brazil and lo the taxi driver tried it there and was caught because we knew about this, apparently its the favourite scam of drivers across the spectrum

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  25. Even i faced the same situation but i was lucky enough to not loose any money.. I shouted and screamed and said i had given 2 notes of 500 only.. so then they returNed back the money and i took another cab for way back to home..

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  26. Travel by uber ,they are best in Mumbai

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  27. This happens at mumbai airport too...

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  28. This happened with me too... same story... while returning from Goa in d morning... terrible experience... n to add cherry on d cake.. one of d driver tried stealing cashews from my bag... n wen I confronted him... he said.. madam I dint know it was urs... also they charge u 28rs/mtr... at 6 am(ie. night charges) when night charges are applicable only til 5am...to which v guys opposed.. plz b alert..

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  29. something similar had happened with my parents in 2009 at mumbai airport when they took a taxi to nasik , and gave change for 1000 bucks, and being told that they gave 500& a 50 note.. they were tereified the whole way to nasik as the driver knew that my father had 500 rupee notes in his wallet ! Shameless ppl here! utter crap police !!

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  30. Faced a similar situation last week when I went to dadar east to pick up my uncle who arrived by the Hussain sagar express! I get into the taxi and the driver asks me change for 500 to pay the previous passenger. It was 5 in the morning and in my sleep deprived (and hence frustrated) state, I shot back at him saying he should not take a new passenger if he has not settled with the previous one. Saying this, I walked out of the taxi and took another one. Did not know it was a scam then but thanks to your post I do now!

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  31. Check before giving a large note and always announce in a discreet way like bhaiya 500 ka chutta hoga na.

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  32. The same incident of note exchange happened to me as well when i went to dadar station to pick my dad arriving in early morning in July 2014.The fellow initially asked my dad for change of 1000 ,he didn't had so driver asked me .somehow i had, but i also remembered that i had only 2×500 .so after taking money from me he got away and another person drove the car. I had something running in my mind that he played some trick .howcome i didnt have both 500 notes if i gave him 500+100(as per him).After a while i was very sure that he cheated.i asked the driver to stop the car n call that person (since they were friends).i confidently said he took both 500 rs notes .so they agreed stating may be by mistake etc and adjusted the fare when i reached home. i always thought they tried to trick me which i overcame. Never knew its happening to all n its a scam...

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  33. This is one of the reasons why they are trying to pull down uber and ola cabs😐

    The taxi drivers are being so adament, and cheats, that forging the meter is just an ordinary thing.
    If your travel is of small distance, they don't accept your fair. I mean, its on the will of a taxi driver if you should go somewhere or not.
    There are a few good taxi drivers.
    But at one point, I feel, even we are responsible. We just think that, yeh gaya, koi aur taxiwala mil jayega. Why don't we take a PIC of his number plate and complain the authority?!

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  34. There is a prepaid taxi counter in Dadar east , right next to Hanuman temple.
    You have to take receipt with fixed rate according to distance.
    you don't have to pay a single penny to driver.
    or else

    go for Uber or meru genuine

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  35. Hello,
    The same incident happened to me ... exactly same incident .... 1st time i got confused that whether i had given him 500 or 100 rs note .... But i was sure i had given him 500 note but they said sir you had given only 100 rs note ...

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  36. I have experienced a same situation.. I was travelling back to Mumbai with my family at 5 in the morning.. My dad gave d taxi driver a 500 rupee note and the driver tried to return it saying "ye kya..? 100 ka note de rahe ho" but my dad was sure that he gave him 500 rupee note as he has a habit of checking the notes twice before paying.. The driver got frightened because of my dad's stern voice.. And gave us the remaining change!

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  37. Omg same same thing happened with me. 5am train from Goa. Took a cab outside Dadar east. He asked me for 1000 change I gave it to him and I clearly knew I just had 3 500 notes and nothing else. He said I gave him 500 and 100. I told him it's not possible as I don't have 100. He fought with me and I thought maybe it was my mistake only somehow paid him and got off. These guys are serious crooks

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  38. Hi everybody, I'm from New York City. I read this blog about taxi scams in Mumbai and thought of getting some tips from you guys. I will be visiting India (Bombay) after two decades. Bit nervous about scams and con artists.

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  39. Style of writing :) amazing

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  40. I met one another guy in the afternoon at around 2 he is hadicappd doesnt hv one hand.. I took a cab frm dadr cntrl to matunga whch was hardly a 10 mins drive.. He tells me tht his daughter needs mney fr her college fees he has managed 10k bt the fees is 15k and ask me to donate 5k... Whn i tld hm i hv only 500 rs in my pockets he convinced me to gv hm tht.. Like a fool i thought every penny counts.. And tht drive costd me 500 rs... Aftr sme months i m travelling again as thts my moms place another taxi guy tells me her mother is hospitalised and the same story.. Ths time i pay ntg n leave.. Again aftr sme months one rickshaw driver in andheri repeats the same story but daughter in hospital... Plz dnt belive these fake stories beware....

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    Replies
    1. The same thing happened to me! I was just going to post about this as well. I took this guy from Dadar East to go home to Wadala-. Hardly a 10mins ride. And soon after I am in the cab he tells me that he is driving after a long time today since he met with an accident and lost a hand. And he was driving single handedly and acted as if he is having trouble. He wore a cap similar to the ones Muslims put while praying. And he is like I came to Swami NarayanTrust to ask them for some money for his kids' education. That his younger son has been promoted but his daughter is in 10th so they need her to give the exams. At first I didn't pay attention but then he kept saying and the way he said it I got interested and asked him how much money he needed. He is like I need only 2000/- I was shocked. That for such a small amount he is going around. And felt bad so I gave him 500/- bucks. By this time I had reached my destination. I took the so called principal'd number from him to check if he correct. But the number was off. And I left.

      The same man picked me up from Wadala station this time to drop me till Matunga and since it wasn't very long after the first time, I remembered his face and he said the exact same things and this time he was literally force begging me. I didn't say a word. When I got off at Matunga, I threatened him that if I see him one more time driving here, i am going to give him to the police. He kept denying. But I hvnt seen him after that day.

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  41. I met one another guy in the afternoon at around 2 he is hadicappd doesnt hv one hand.. I took a cab frm dadr cntrl to matunga whch was hardly a 10 mins drive.. He tells me tht his daughter needs mney fr her college fees he has managed 10k bt the fees is 15k and ask me to donate 5k... Whn i tld hm i hv only 500 rs in my pockets he convinced me to gv hm tht.. Like a fool i thought every penny counts.. And tht drive costd me 500 rs... Aftr sme months i m travelling again as thts my moms place another taxi guy tells me her mother is hospitalised and the same story.. Ths time i pay ntg n leave.. Again aftr sme months one rickshaw driver in andheri repeats the same story but daughter in hospital... Plz dnt belive these fake stories beware....

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  42. A very same incident happened with me as well, when I took a taxi from Sion at midnight. I never knew it was a tactics of the taxi driver but I was under the impression that it would be my mistake that I didn't check the money after withdrawing it from the ATM.

    Even after so many incidents why is the police not taking any action against these scams. Its not that we will get our looted money back, but they can avoid others getting looted.

    I am going to share this story in all possible ways so that at least my near and dear ones are well aware of this.

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  43. Thanks for sharing.. I never knew dis happens in dadar.. I m from mumbai but never faced all dis.. Thanks for d alarm����

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  44. A similar incident happened with me. The guy sitting next to the driver asked me for 1000 Rs change and I gave him 10 100 Rs notes. He started by saying these notes are torn, and gave me back one by one. Every note was torn which was little surprising for me since I had just taken them out of ATM last night. Still in all this I forgot that he just gave me back 600 and not the entire 1000. Then I said I don't have any other notes and he left. I got to my destination and I realized so I fought with the driver. He said that's not the case. I threatened him to take to police since i was just next to traffic signal. He hurriedly left without taking any money. Please beware..

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  45. Almost happened with me in sept 2015. Guy in turban.. yess he is the big crook.
    I was so tired with the travel, I had to go home ASAP so I cud not follow through...

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  46. Yes same thing happened with me as well when I caught taxi from Dadar station in the morning in the month of Jun 2015.

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  47. All the notes look the same with that stupid font.

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  48. even i was victim of this scam when I landed from.new york. i was in deep sleep and thought of giving 100 ra note instead of 500. later realized i had no 100 rs note :(

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  49. My parents also got taken for a ride at Dadar station in June. :(

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  50. You all should gather at report this to the cops

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  51. well..even I faced the same situation a year back. We had gone to bandra from dadar when this shit happened. But what we did was we went back to that taxi driver in dadar and we pretended that we needed to hire a taxi and just when my father was talking to him, I clicked a picture of him and then we hired another taxi. Well, what happened next was much more interesting. The taxi guy came to bandra station after two hours. He returned our money. Not because he felt guilty but because he knew if we lodged a complaint of him by just showing his photo, he will be screwed. Jaate jaate he said to me, "Didid, photo delete kardo".

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  52. 1St option -make a snoop video with support of any media channel & publish it on tv channel

    2nd option -with intention next time keep ur mens standing outside petrol pump take one fake pessanger ...

    I think police supporting them behind the scene ...so called "hafta" milta hoga

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  53. I have experienced this with an auto in Borivali as well. The guy switched my 500 rupee note I gave him for the 200 something fare in a jiffy and says you've paid only Rs 100.
    The fact that it was almost 2 in the morning and I was dead tired and sleepy didn't help either.
    What I m trying to say is that this sach may be prominent at Dadar, but the cheats are everywhere operating with the same modus.

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  54. I faced a similar situation at the Airport, but I told my wife to take a picture of the Taxi number plate, and the driver and mail it to the Mumbai Police Commissioner. As soon as we got out and took a pic of the cab, the old passenger came running behind us with a 500 rupee note. This happened at the international Airport.

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  55. Thats so true.. someone needs to take some serious action.. the 1000rs change thing has happened with me also.. due to lack of action they have lost the fear of police

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  56. I thought i was the only one who have experienced it. It happened to me, i thought i have mistakenly given him 100 Rs instead of 500. An year later, same thing happened with my dad :(

    Seems like they are running this scam for a decades now.

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  57. I too had similar experience... Same change for 1000 I gave two 500 notes and he said one is 100. I had no hundreds in my purse... Still I was too tired to pick up a fight so I took hundred and gave five hundred again. And the same petrol story... The driver was an elderly looking man in turban.. But drunk I think. He was smelling bad. Another person came to taxi window and said madam let me do you.. This taxi will take time. So I took another taxi!! Incident forgotten in the hustle bustle of life. It's not possible that such a thing can happen for years without police officials having any knowledge about it. Though.. Mumbai police is really good.. But still such incidents are really a shame!

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  58. Yes....I too have been tried by some people at dadar station when i returned with my family from shiridi....but the person did not succeed in getting away from me since I knew I gave him Rs. 1000/- and caught him by his collar and told threatened him down there. He then got a Rs.1000/- note from one of his associate and gave it to me. I fully charged the person and abused him down there and told him that I would take action in some time. We need to stand up and catch these guys over then & there. Police knows it very well....all are brothers in the same arm. it has to be reported in the news paper and media so that Police takes tougher action which hope continues.

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  59. This a gang of sardars doing this scam. They are doing it since the year 2000.I got looted the same way.the guy offered to take the luggage to the taxi & told me it's faster than a pre paid taxi.A guy got on to the taxi ahead & the taxi driver told he's a friend he wanted to drop off.they stopped at a petrol pump & he askedE for 1000 Rs which I refused to give.at my destination he & his companion fought me & took double the fare & threatened me unless I pay he won't unload the luggage.This is a gang of four sardars.
    Always take the pre paid taxis by standing in the proper line for taxis as they are regulated by police

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  60. Same thing happened to my mother and then a couple of months later to her friend.
    When she went to register a complaint at Dadar police station she was asked to identify the the raxi driver who was obviously not found.

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  61. Happened with me too at Dadar station. It was early morning so I was not confident whether i gave him a 100 Rs note or a 500 Rs note. But when i reached my hostel, i didn't let him go and searched the taxi at driver's seat. I found a wallet full of many 500 Rs notes, to which he replied "ye mera nahi hai, mere chacha ka hai, isliye isme se paise nahi use kar raha". Thugs

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  62. Same Thing happened to me at round 4.30 am when I was travelling with my wife.
    What more is that they are still operating and I have seen people getting trapped in the same incident each time travel to mumbai.

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  63. OMG...it was an eye opener. My son had shared this post with me...thanks.
    i shall again visit your blog to find out useful stuff.
    Your narration and writing sle is superb....keep it up!
    Such write-ups benefit lot of people.
    keep up this spirit of sharing. i have some bitter experiences of my visits to post office...this morning also...but i thought i won't share...
    but i admit that this write up has inspired me toshare frankly and without fear. .thanks once again..
    ..

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    Replies
    1. You're welcome, Praveen! Hope to see your write-up soon

      Delete
  64. This is an age old trick employed by Taxiwalas in Bombay. Apart from Dadar, this also happens frequently in the carpool stand at airport to cabs headed for Pune and Nashik.

    We were duped once, the subsequent times we would flash notes one by one and keep a count while we hand it to him. Even though we got sloppy the 2nd time but stood our ground that we paid 2 500 notes. He understood we've had first hand experience already and backed off.

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  65. You may find it amusing but this (cheating by switching notes) is an old trick in India esp at crowded places. Few years back (2008 I guess), we were at New Delhi railway station. My dad ran out of cash and withdrew money from ATM so he very well knew what denominations he had. He gave 1000 (two 500 notes) to my Aunty traveling with us to buy some tickets from the cash counter. The cashier there took the notes from her and while she was waiting for the tickets he asked her for more money saying that she had given him only 600, one note of 500 and the other to be 100. She thought she only was mistaken and came back to fetch more money from my dad. My dad understood what really took place. He went back and shouted at the cashier (and dropped some names in railway ministry) at which cashier started apologising that may be there was some confusion or misunderstanding and requested him not to complain. He gave my dad the tickets and full change. Usually because of hurry people aren't sure of what money they handed and hence don't want to confront the other party. These cheaters take full advantage of the situation, you see :)

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  66. Police is hand in glove with them

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  67. The same incident happened with me when I went to dadar Sep. 2015. This guys are really disgusting...

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  68. Happened with me as well. -.-
    Never taken a cab from there since.

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  69. The same happened to me just this weekend.. luckily for me I had less than a thousand in my wallet.. told them I was buying my ticket home by card..terribly disappointed the driver..

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  70. Damn it. Even I got looted the same way. It was exactly a year back. I took a kaali-peeli (should have taken the Tab-cab or Meru which is available from the airport kiosk) taxi thinking I can avoid paying the airport parking charges to the cab company. Later on I went ahead and waited for a taxi and there comes this guy. We immediately rushed in the cab as he mentioned police doesn't allow us to stand there, so after rushing in he started and took a halt at one of gas filling station somewhere near santacruz kalina. When I got down, it was pretty dark so I was busy taking out my luggage after that when I handed over the money someone from my family called me and I got distracted so he dropped the note on his carpet. When he picked up and started counting he said I gave him 100 rs note instead of 500. I was so sure that I had given 500, but still he insisted that I had given 100 rs note. I was too tired to argue after driving for almost 1 hr from Airport to Thane. Finally I gave up and handed over the money to him. Its exactly one year this episode has happened. After reading this blog, I am glad that I was right and that the very thought was still lingering in my head. I hope some day I catch the culprit and expose this entire scam of this taxiwala's.

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  71. Please do not presume that all policemen are the same. Especially, in Mumbai , the police are very strict with autowallahs and taximen. Dare they refuse a ride to anybody in front of them. Next time any such thing happens , just tell them that you are going to call the police.
    PS:Similar thing happened to me in Bangalore. Also in Sion ,some taxis do not follow the meter system.

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  72. This is an age old trick used by taxi drivers all over the world. I have faced it myself in Istanbul and one of my friend had a similar experience in São Paulo. So please don't isolate this to Mumbai alone and more over specific to Dadar. Con artists are present anywhere and everywhere to take away your money. Just need some awareness from our part and we can stay safe.

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  73. I am frequent visiting Mumbai and Dadar, and thank god that I had not any bad experience yet. But above details are really red light...... we have to be careful........

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  74. I have never had this kind of experience at Dadar railway station. I prefer to book radio taxis when i approach nearabouts Mumbai. When i come from airport also i prefer to book the pre-paid taxi from the airport. That is the safest. But at Tilak Nagar terminus too, there are some rogue auto drivers. This should be brought to the attention of the media to expose them. Circulate to all the media houses in the country

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  75. This incidents happen on daily basis at dadar, both prepaid cabs as well as the cab drivers standing at station are ready to fool you. Just go walking 2-3 mins at the highway, you will get many cabs.

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  76. This incidents happen on daily basis at dadar, both prepaid cabs as well as the cab drivers standing at station are ready to fool you. Just go walking 2-3 mins at the highway, you will get many cabs.

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  77. Same thing happened with my family & I visited police station to about those frod Punjabi taxi driver but police did not taken action against them. From other taxi driver I got to know those frod Punjabi taxi drivers giving hafta to cops to run their business.
    No action is taken till today. Shame!!

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  78. Seems all scandals possible on this earth are already available in India....we Indians are looting our own people....It is a shame but a fact too...and that's how we set examples for people from outside...its not only this but many more ways these people know how to loot us...but then they do not know that money earned this way goes away in vain...Yogesh Goel...ygoel.com

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  79. Wow... This exact same thing happened to me... It was a short sardar guy who was sitting next to the driver and asked for change... He followed the exact same drill but since I had only two 500 notes in my wallet I was quite sure he was trying to pull a fast one...when I stood my ground, he n told him that I had paid him an exact change n not one 500 and one 100, like he claimed, the bastard quietly walked out... I thought it only happened with me, but thanks for letting me know it's a scam... We shd gang up n teach them a lesson...

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  80. It happened to me too somewhere in early Dec. 2014. I hailed a taxi from Dadar TT to NSCI Club Haji Ali. In fact the cab driver was standing by the bus when I alighted and offered me his cab. I had luggage and it was getting dark. He was chatty on the way. I guess he was trying to guage if I was alert enough and if I was capable of creating trouble. On reaching I handed him over a Rs.500 note and was gathering my luggage. I looked at the driver waiting for him to hand me over the change, but instead found he as looking back at me with Rs.100 note in his hand. I told him I gave him a Rs. 500 note but he insisted that it was Rs.100. Unfortunately there was no way to prove it. I had not kept a check of the number of notes in my wallet nor paid careful attention to his actions. Now I know I should have. The indecent kept bothering me for some time. I should have atleast taken down his licence plate number. Moreover his chatty and friendly attitude helped him do his con job without trouble. He projected himself as a poor, friendly and helpful and I guess I fell for that.

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  81. Happened to me in 1984, same place, same tricks. Unfortunately he let me ride in the cab (no extra passenger) I made him park outside a police station just opposite my residence & called his bluff. He returned all my money & just scooted away...plain lucky...cops are in on it....

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  82. Hello, Nowadays most of the people have a smart phone so just download the radiotaxi apps like uber, ola, taxi for sure and ny other u can prepaid it exact fair amount it can show at your gps all the way and information about the driver and his car before u get inside the car, u'll get all info at ur cell through a message. forward all the message details to ur friend or relative ... i always go to mumbai nd follow this steps only.

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  83. Yes, this happened to me in 2006 Jan, remember the date exactly because I was in Mumbai to join for my very first job. I saw a newspaper reporting this incident a month after and that is when I realized I was cheated.

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  84. 6 yeara back, same experience I personnally had while taking early morning taxi from Dadar East🚕. Beware of such cheaters.

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  85. Not only in Mumbai. Same happened to me in Bangalore also. End up in big argument and was about to call the cops they pulled off...

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  86. They tried this trick with me too. I refused to accept their note of 1000 because I thought that it could be a fake note. I was saved.

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  87. It has happened with me too at the Dadar Station. As soon as I sat in the cab, another Taxi driver asked for Rs. 1000 change from the driver of the taxi I boarded. The taxi driver said he doesn't have change and eventually I was asked to give change for Rs. 1000. I had two notes Rs. 500 each in my shirts pocket. As I was in hurry, I gave those notes to the driver in no time. The driver instantly handed me a note of Rs. 1000. I was putting that note in my wallet and he at once handed me two notes of Rs. 100 each and said "Sir, you have give me two notes Rs. 500". I thought the driver must be right. I took those Rs. 100 notes from him and slipped out two notes of Rs. 500 from my wallet to give him.

    But wait what!!! For 5 seconds, I thought over the series of actions. I understood the scene and I asked the driver to step out of the taxi. Frightened driver gave me my Notes back and I had to take another taxi as I was also told that he will have to refill his petrol.

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  88. Wow, get these new age Radio cabs user or old and no need to pay cash use paytm or card if you are comfortable.....

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  89. Same thing happened with me by turban clad sardarji who took 500 note and said I have given only 100 note. Taxi just from dadar station to sena bhavan . Looting people.. Very sad indeed

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  90. Same thing happened with me by turban clad sardarji who took 500 note and said I have given only 100 note. This was almost in 2005..Taxi just from dadar station to sena bhavan . Looting people more then a decade. Very sad indeed

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  91. Shit! I never came across this article before. Now i come to know even me and my family were cheated. We returned from Kashmir to dadar and took a taxi for andheri ...we reached home and the bill was around 430-470! My mom gave him a 500rs note and he still stand still...and he says u gave me just 100rs. It was around 4am dark enough so we thought it might be a 100rs note. :/

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  92. Smart! Smart! Smart!
    Everyone know its cheating but they are smart and you have to be smarter :)

    Lets not lose hope from Cops guys, we should do our part of job by filing the complain.

    One day we will have cheat free India !

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  93. My uncle had this happen to him right in front of my eyes on our first trip to Mumbai when we got a taxi from the airport. This was in 2004.

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  94. My uncle had this happen to him right in front of my eyes on our first trip to Mumbai when we got a taxi from the airport. This was in 2004.

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  95. Hi i am planning to give the driver a great deed of change if something like this happens to me in Mumbai.Please note you have cops there you could tell the cops to help you instead of following people late night cause its not that safe .At dadar station we have cops 24/7 railway as well as mumbai police and please have police helpline number too in handy.Rest i will post my feedback once i get such crazy drivers ..I wish i get one soon

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  96. An eye opener.. thanks for the info Jade.. yes like many others have said; a very good narration. I hv shifted to Bangalore now n experience the same here too. No city is safe, its important for us to be alert while taking the public transport in any of the metros these days.

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  97. Interesting to know this has been occurring since this long. I encountered this in 2007 when I took a cab from airport to home. Reaching home, the cabbie played same trick. I was pretty sure of giving 500. When he insisted, I almost grabbed his collar and asked him if he wanted some air a police station. He hurled some abuse and left...
    In the end, I have no sympathy when uber and ola will wipe the kaali-peeli off the road.. The crooked drivers called for it.

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  98. Few years It happened with me too in dadar station firstly I paid him 500 he says I have paid him only 100 it happened early morning around 5. I was like may be I gave him 100 .people should be aware now thanks for the post.

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  99. Hey...most of us on blog either have experienced it or got aware about it. My point is if the cabs are being supported by police of the area. Don't you think we should think of bringing end to this and discuss solution as to how can we stop or bring an end to such a thing which still exists . I also thought about capturing and going to police station. The point still remains that police will listen to you but we don't know the action they will take or not. Let's discuss an act to bring this to an end then to find prepaid cab options. Which is us short term alternative . Don't you think so? Hope we work a way out to stop this activity

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  100. ALL SUCH INCIDENTS HAPPEN INT HE WEEE HOURS IN MUMBAI..... BETTER TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT THE NOTE BEFORE HANDING IT TO THEM AND MAKE SURE U TELL HIM THAT U R GIVING WHAT DENOMINATION....THEY WILL EVACUATE IF THEY DO NOT FIND SUCH BAKRAS.....REPORTING TO POLICE IS NOT A SOLUTION..ITS JUST A MENTAL RELIEF...

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  101. This has happened to me as well 2 years back when I was coming from Mumbai domestic airport. Exact same incident the way you descried above. I after reaching home I realized that I was short of Rs400.

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  102. This happened to me too. I didn't realise it was a a scam at the time. The driver asked me for change and I genuinely didn't have any and when he persisted and tried to point out notes in my wallet, I got annoyed and walked off to taxis on the road and took one. In retrospect I thought something was fishy and now your article confirms it. Fake notes? Surprised no one has clamped down on this.

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  103. I was victim of this few years back at Mumbai Airport, since then I ensure to take either pre paid taxi or get out of the airport / station and hail one. I believe it is still very common in Mumbai. One should avoid the people coming and offer taxi close to entrance, some of them are cheat.

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  104. I am also face the same situation in Station.

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  105. I was victim of this few years back at Mumbai Airport, since then I ensure to take either pre paid taxi or get out of the airport / station and hail one. I believe it is still very common in Mumbai. One should avoid the people coming and offer taxi close to entrance, some of them are cheat.

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  106. The talent is being passed from generation to generation.....one among the same Sardar group of drivers did something similar to me in 2001, the first time I set foot in Mumbai. Took a taxi from Dadar to Goregaon. When I paid, he returned 2 Rs. 100 notes that were "torn". Then, since I couldn't replace the notes, I fished out a Rs. 500 note. In the mean time, he showed me another torn Rs.100 note. In all this note switching I lost count and ended up paying Rs. 250 more....before he left he had the audacity to ask for another Rs.30 for having a "thanda" as it was too hot :-)

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  107. Same thing happened with me day before yesterday at Dadar... Exactly same to same only time difference, I got cheated in the evening instead of morning. Guys please be careful don't go with anyone who comes till the coach door and offer you a kaali peeli taxi and agrees to go by meter.
    Also they place a foam partition b/w front seats so that we won't be able to see what the other person is doing.

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  108. This first happened to me in Dadar in 1967. I was fooled. I am surprised to see this con still continue for generations, though I don't get fooled anymore.

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  109. This happened to me way back in 2009 when i joined my first job !

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  110. Yes This happened with me too in 2012 but the only difference that the taxi didnt ask me to get another taxi but drove me home but a sure eye opener. Another reason why App Based taxis are the best option

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  111. This happened to me once when I was travelling back from Hyderabad. Mostly the turban guys are involved. They target the passengers mostly during the early morning hours. Just be careful while choosing your taxi.

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  112. I also faced similar incident at Mumbai airport in 2012. I lost my money too. After few minutes I come to know that I am being cheated but it was too late. The cab driver was not there when I went to see him. It is very bad feeling that someone cheats you.

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  113. There ways and tricks people seem to use . This experiences dates back to 2005 where me n my mom dad were in Hyderabad walking on the road. We were approached by a guy with wife n 2 kids. He started asking us if knew marathi as he overheard us it seems and then when we said yes he started telling his story of how he lost his bag and everything in bus . he had no money to eat or return. Looking at family my dad gave him 500 bucks and asked him to return home. We were content we could help someone in need. Few months later on the same street I meet this family again not sure if same as I could hardly remember. I was also warned by then of people like these. The same sequence of events repeated and this I said to that man to come police station so that they will help. As soon as I mentioned police they flex off.

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  114. I have also experienced it twice.
    First time I lost 400 because of my wife who did not support me and confused further.
    Second time I brushed them off and had to change cab.

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  115. This happened with my family in 2008 but some twist in the story .We ,me,my hubby,my 1year old son and my mother in law returned from Gangapur and the same Tall fair guy took one of our suit case befriended my hubby and convinced him to go by his taxi.the other Sardar drive the taxi n the tall guy sat on beside him.They took us to the petrol pump n asked my hubby to get down from the cab and the driver Sardar was demanding money from him ,Mean while the tall guy asked me to give him Rs 1000 to give for fuel.I and even my mother in law denied to give .As they didn't get any money they both got frustrated and told us to get down from the taxi.My hubby gave them all the bad words and we finally took a other cab .its all their pre planned game to loot innocent people like us.

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  116. Appreciate your efforts of spreading awareness ... its time we have realized we have to help ourselves and spread awareness ... keep up the great work ... would surely keep this one in the mind ... (Y)

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  117. I encountered these thugs way back in.2002, needed a cab from Dadar to CST and one guy in a turban rushed to help me, just in time an old cabbie across the glass gestures me as if trying to warn me. I was saved in the nick of time. The cabbie on the way told me these guys mug people. Surely the cops know but turn a blind eye.

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  118. I encountered these thugs way back in.2002, needed a cab from Dadar to CST and one guy in a turban rushed to help me, just in time an old cabbie across the glass gestures me as if trying to warn me. I was saved in the nick of time. The cabbie on the way told me these guys mug people. Surely the cops know but turn a blind eye.

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  119. The same incident took with me and my friend back in 2014, but we chose to leave the taxi as somewhere we felt he was forcing us to give the change and then we realized something is fishy.

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  120. It happened with me thrice, although i was cheating once rest time i said i dnt have change. But is there a way to bring it to the notice of the police authorities.

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  121. Something similar happened to me at Mumbai airport. Passengers beware of getting into passing by cabs at Airport. They will say that he needs to pay to traffic police who has his licence and takes Rs.500. And then drops you off at main road saying he is not able to find him and you need to get off and returns you only Rs. 4000. Please take only airport taxis.

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  122. Something similar happened few years back when me and my family took a taxi from dadar to bandra. As we started off one guy waived and the driver stopped. On asking he said he is a friend staying next to his house and this was his last trip and was going home after dropping us. To add to this he even took a different road which he said would be with less traffic.... Frankly I was also bit scared of being robbed. But we did reach safely. Then both got down and took our luggage out. Unluckily it was dark at the building entrance. I tried my best to see the notes and gave him 2 500's. He said I gave a 500 and 100. I was not 100% sure so I gave him a 500 and he gave me a 100 and remaining change. Now I feel bad. But it was better than the thoughts of being completely ripped off.

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  123. Cops are in on most of the bad things, begging rackets, theft, such felony. I forgot to mention the 1st cab we got into I checked the fare card and found the rates very high. It was a sardar. He dint argue as there was a rto cop there. We just got off.... The local MLA has to be approached. Surrounding police stations have to be informed. There might be few good cops somewhere. lastly it should be in papers to open more eyes and also put pressure on law enforcers etc. Sanjay

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  124. This same incident occurred to me in last May as some family members came along by 'Konkan Kanya' which pulls in DADAR station unfailing at 5:20 am and so does the Taximen who come right away on platform to lure you. Since we were a party that had to be accommodated in two cars, tried to look out for cabs which would take us to our destination none was available in vicinity that would take us as per metered reading, finally we were approached by two of the cabies who were hanging around, they agreed for Rs.350/- each cab, a journey if metered should cost just Rs.140/- exhausted and tired we agreed. Upon reaching so as to settle the Rs.700/- collectively I handed over two notes of Rs.500/- each, within seconds the cabbie reverts back saying that one of the note was of Rs.100/-, I coolly handed over another Rs.500/- without realizing I was cheated, which I realized much later as I knew what was in my wallet. I also learnt that Cops are actually hand in gloves with the Dadar Taximen and that cab system there operate as a Mafia. I advise people alighting at DADAR Stn to walk a little further towards Swami Narayan Temple and its adjoining lanes to hail a Cab.

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  125. Wow same thing happened with me about note exchange and to top it off they also stole my phone. Bloody cheats.

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  126. Well after reading this post now I m 100% sure tht guy st the prepaid taxi counter at local airport chested me..same thing happened I gave him 500 rs note as usual Becuase fare now went upto to 350+ to dader west n he than asked for more I was surprised than but I thought may be I did mistake but my heart was not ready to believe that I can do such mistake but now picture is clear .its happening everywhere.

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  127. I was about to be a victim of this, but luckily I got reminded of this story (switching of notes) once my uncle who is from Bombay told me. I told them that I have only 10/- rupee and 20/- notes and I'll give them if they wanted :D. The turban man got pissed off and asked me to get down. I got down and happily took another cab to Prabhadevi where I used to stay.

    Normally these taxi ppl. exchange fake notes for the original ones from passengers. And since it's the early hours, they think we are in a sleepy mood.

    Be aware people.

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  128. Same thing has happened with me and my wife right outside Dadar station. They tried the same thing one more time but this time I just got off the taxi. Yes these ppl are runni scam.

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  129. I have faced the same problem at Dadar station. It is around 11:30 PM i guess. I gave him a change of 1000(two 500's) and that guy reverted that note and he said that i gave him one 100 and one 500 note. At that time i did not realize that he was cheated me But after i reached home i realized the fact that he played a trick on me after i checked my wallet. These guys are very pre planned. I am not sure why police is not taking care about these situations. So, we need to be more careful at Mumbai railway stations.

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  130. I have faced the same problem at Dadar station. It is around 11:30 PM i guess. I gave him a change of 1000(two 500's) and that guy reverted that note and he said that i gave him one 100 and one 500 note. At that time i did not realize that he was cheated me But after i reached home i realized the fact that he played a trick on me after i checked my wallet. These guys are very pre planned. I am not sure why police is not taking care about these situations. So, we need to be more careful at Mumbai railway stations.

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  131. I got swindled by such a guy outside Dadar in early 90's. I forgot all about that and got cheated again, this time at Mumbai airport, more than ten years later. So their business is thriving and expanding.

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  132. It was happened to me in jan 15,when i was travelling to hyderabad from dadar station and lost RS.1500. They also stole my mobile....i cant explain the sistuation i gone through...thought complain police but i am in rush to catch my train..

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  133. The same thing happened to me too. They exploit our lack of sleep, our critical need to get home due to maybe an emergency. When it happened it was late night. Next morning when i was in my better senses I was unable to fathom the thought of being duped so badly. This happened to me 3 years back. I am surprised that this still happens. Such people/taxi drivers should be taken straight to the police station and driven away from the Airports. They spoil the name of the country. What's disgusting is Foreigners/Tourists come to India, land in Mumbai and they get a taste of what actually India is not. These things have to stop. And yes, if a tourist is the backpacker kind of guy, he will not use OLA or UBER. He will inquire around once he lands.

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  134. same with me at LTT. he even dropped me to powai, but switched my 500 note with a 100 rupee note. I had even registered an online complaint with the police,but to no avail.

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  135. This happend to me one time at Mumbai domestic airport .. Being so tried after whole day work and dark at night. This people chated me.

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  136. thanks for filling us in on this Jade...

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  137. Happened to me way back in 2007 at the Mumbai airport. Decided never to take a taxi other than from the official taxi stands.

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  138. I too have been a victim of this racket. It happened last year at LTT. They usually have cloth on the meter which is running twice as fast than normal and the Rs.500 trick to go with it. I ended up paying more than a Rs.1000 where I should have just paid Rs.200. I fought with the cabbie but knowing that his cab broke down all of a sudden near Carnac Bunder in the middle of nowhere, I paid him and left off.

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  139. Better to hier online cabs as there is less opportunity for drivers to cheat

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  140. Similar thing happened with me at Dadar on 20-09-2013 at 4:30 AM. Police is part of the game.
    Pl never take a taxi from Dadar station.

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  141. We as customers need to act smart
    therr is one more way how they cheat mostly
    Near LT terminal .
    if you are in taxi and approaching LT terminus other taxi driver may block the road to make surr you miss the train.
    since many of the trains go via panvel same taxi driver will ask you high money and give guarantee that you will get your train at panvel..
    Use prepaid taxis

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  142. These sardars have brought flats ,shops,cabs out of this I'll gotten money.,.......

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  143. If so many people are saying that police is with them ,then it is right as these cops are more interested in towing away cars at 4am instead of catching these sardars.... Towing cars is generating their profits.,they should catch these chors..Traffic Commissioner ARE YOU READING this.Pls act on this
    .

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  144. And i was witness to exactly the same thing stated above, exactly the same thing on 16th nov 2015.
    I was purposefully standing there to observe what's going on after u read this thread a week back.

    Turbaned man-old passengers-₹1000 change-some issue with notes ..etc etc
    While I was standing they had a constant look upon me...ine of them came to me...enquiring whhy was i standing there. I ignored saying 'aise hi' He asked me to go away and stand.... but not there...i ignored again. Then came came four of them to me, i started walking back in fea:
    One man-photo nikalega???
    I: nahi check karlo
    He checked my cell and found nothing
    He: gaadi ka nmber padh raha tha kya?
    I denied
    He: jaldi bata kyaa kar rahaa tha warna leke jata hu police station udhar batana
    I: Internet par padha tha iske bare me...so was watching
    He: (translating to English) Look this Mumbai. Everything happens here. We just have a small 'dhandha' of 2 hrs. Each penny goes till top officials. Let me know if you have lost anything we'll make it up for you.
    I denied and walked away with a feeling of escaping.


    Let's act and fight such things, happening at the most used railway station of the commercial capital of the country.

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  145. A very similar incident happened with me. A turbaned man offered me ride at Dadar station and asked for 1000 rs change. I said I dont have. Then he said if you want to go to LTT I will charge you 500 as it is far and you are already late. It only 2pm and my train from LTT was at 3:30 pm. That time I understood that he was cheating me. So I got out of the taxi. The other person sitting besides driver came out and said since our taxi has come out of parking you have to give 50rs or we wont let you go. I just gave him 50 rs and took another taxi.

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  146. Same thing happened with me in around 2012 or 2013 ...I rwaxhed dadar station aat around 5am....Then the same episode ..A turban cabbie approached ..... .another guy on the front passenger seat who the cabbie said was his friend .....asked for a change of 1000 note ....then the same 100 rupee trick was used on me ...so I gave another 500 rupee note taking that 100 ....but I was very sure I had given him two 500 rupee notes ....and I got this feeling by then that I was being corned ...but i wanted to be sure b4 I confronted him about the 500 rupees note....so I started looking for the 500 rupee note in my valet as I had only three 500 rupee notes in my valet ( and by now I had given all the three 500 notes to him )....then he said he needs to fill in some gas and It was urgent as the cab may not make it to my destination and this may take around 20 mins...I told him okay go ahead I am in no hurry ....by saying this i thought I would also buy some time to look for the 500 note in my valet ...The He stopped the cab outside a gas station .....Both of them discussed something....Then the cabbie told me it's okay he will fill the gas later ....He can make it to my destination the cab has got that much gas in it.....I told him okay good then let's move and I kept looking for the other 500 note which I never found. Then I was sure I was being corned ....I was thinking now what do I do ....its been around 15 minutes since he told me he that I gave him 600 instead of 1000 and I didn't dispute this claim of his then.....so now what do i do.
    Then I planned to tell him this once I Was close to my place ....and where people would be around in case if inwoukd need help if something goes wrong and I did the same when the cab had crossed Sion and it was not dark anymore and there were too many people on the road .... I told him papaji (dude) that 100 rupee note that u had given me ,does not belong to me ....I had given you two 500 rupee notes I am very sure ...so please take this 100 rupee note and give me my 500 back.....Both of them looked.at each other and asked me was I sure ...I told him absolutely and I asked him to check in his pocket .....He took the 100 rupee note checked his pocket and gave me 500 back ....and said sorry it was a mistake...I said it's okay.
    I got down at my destination and took down the cabs number .....thinking I should inform the police ...but I dropped the idea of going to the police as the cops could do nothing in my case as the offence did not really take place.

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  147. A similar story happen on 13 Nov morning hours wid me. Coming home to mumbai from Jhansi.. The same turban guy asked me if I needed a taxi... My family was with me I asked my Dad feeling piety for the turban guy looking for customers at the railway platform! We walk behind him my dad with him... My mum was severe foot pain..n my sis.. We still walked. He kept us waiting in the taxi... Out of the blue over 7-8 mins same turban guy appears saying this other guy( another turban guy) will drive u to yr drop location mean while during this converstion another man appers asking Rs.1000 change! Left the money on Dad lap( seated on the front seat..now I knew dis was a drama... DON't DARE TO FOOL A BANKER! The others out tried to divert my mum, my sis n my mind...saying the door on my side was not closed.. ( I told them to shut up) My eyes n ears all glued to the conversation happening with dad n Rs. 1000 bucks change man at the same tym! I screamt in my mother tongue don't giv anything..( kidd diyug kaka)... Hope it's issue is sorted! Disgusting! All cannot be bullied

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  148. Yup. .something similar has happened to me as well ,recently around 4 or 5 months back.since I'm a little absent minded I attributed it to my absent mindedness and thought that I had indeed given a 100 instead of a 500..

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  149. I was cheated similarly way back in 2011....and when I talked to some of my friends,they shared similar experiences....

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  150. Exactly this happened to me in 2001!! SO apparently it's not new and its going on for ages. The only new thing was that the same thing happened to me in Istanbul this year. So, apparently it's not just Dadar either. And I'm the fool who falls for it twice.

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  151. It is very difficult now a days to find a rust worthy taxi service just care full we provide you a trust worthy taxi service we are Detroit airport taxi .

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  152. Wow..sme thing hppned to me today wen I got dwn frm Mandovi express at Dadar stn with family at 9.30 pm today. But I got smart when I sat on the cab and the guy who got me into the car frm platform stood outside whole sme other guy sat on the drivers seat. The guy outside handed over a Rs.1000 note & the guy inside asked me if I had TWO 500 rupee notes as he had to handover one 500 to the guy outside & also fill petrol. Man I immediately recollected I had read of this scam sme were..git dwn of the cab..have the driver& the other guy a mouthful..though my fly tried to cnfrm me..but I was so pissed off that they tried to fleece me. Anyways I got into another cab and cme hme but not b4 I had cntctd the police cntrl room & gave them a lowdwn on the whole episode. The cops did assure they will take action but reading the above thread it is apparent that the cops are hand in glove with this rascal other wise they can't operate so openly at Dadar stn soliciting passengers from the platform. BTW the no of the cab..MH01BT3744.

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