Taxi drivers are cheating with fake apps, know the whole matter of Bengaluru

If you often travel by taxi, then this news is very important for you. Recently a person in Bengaluru has exposed a taxi scam, where taxi drivers are using fake apps to overcharge customers. This fake app looks exactly like Uber, due to which passengers get cheated.

A person named Mahesh Suthar has given information about this scam on social media platform X. He said that a taxi driver at Bengaluru airport tried to charge him an extra Rs 1,000.

What is the whole matter?

Mahesh Suthar told in his X post that he had booked a taxi from Bengaluru Airport. The taxi driver used a fake app that looked like Uber to initiate the ride.

• At the end of the ride:
  When Mahesh reached his destination, the driver added an additional Rs 1,000 to the bill.
• GST excuse:
  On enquiry, the driver said that this extra amount was due to GST and he refused to give the correct bill.
• Fake Billing:
  The driver tried to dissuade Mahesh by saying that the bill would be received next month.

Mahesh wrote on X:

“This guy showed me an exact copy of the Uber app. When he started and finished the ride, an additional Rs 1,000 was added to it. He said it is due to GST and the bill will be received next month.”

How does this scam work?

Mahesh Suthar told that taxi drivers use a fake app called “Bluemeter”.

Scam Process:

1. Fake App:
   • Drivers build trust by showing fake apps.
2. Start of ride:
   • Start the ride by pressing the ‘Trip Start’ button on the app.
3. At the end of the ride:
   • The fake app shows a higher fare when you finish the ride.
4. Refusal to pay bill:
   • When customers demand the bill, the driver says the billing system is down or the bill will be received later.

“Bluemeter” app on Google Play Store

Mahesh also shared a screenshot of the Bluemeter app from Google Play Store. Through this app, drivers can add their own surge pricing and increase the fare.

Many people have become victims

After Mahesh’s post, many people told in the comment section that they too had become victims of a similar scam.

• Reality of airport taxis:
  Some people questioned why a fake app was being used instead of a meter in airport taxis.
• One user wrote:
  

  “Taxis at Bangalore Airport usually run on real meter, not app.”

How to avoid such scams?

1. Use the official app:
   • Always use Uber, Ola or other official apps to book a taxi.
2. Check Bill:
   • After the ride is over, check the bill properly.
3. Beware of suspicious apps:
   • If the driver is using any unknown or fake app, then become alert immediately.
4. Please review:
   • When using an airport taxi, carefully look at the driver’s vehicle and the billing meter.
5. Make a complaint:
   • Report any fraudulent incident to the concerned taxi service, airport authority or cyber crime helpline.