Bengaluru city is not only known for its tech supremacy but also as a major transportation hub in India. However, like many other busy airports worldwide, Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) has seen more reports of travellers falling prey to fake cabs. Recently, a woman had a close call when she boarded a fake taxi at the Bengaluru airport, almost becoming a victim of a looting attempt but was safed.
Woman Boards Fake Ola Cab At Bengaluru Airport
Nikita Malik, a doctor, recently had a frightening experience at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. She boarded what she thought was an official Ola cab, but later discovered the driver was an imposter trying to scam her.
omit my handwriting, I hope you understand you’re not safe travelling alone even in one of the most safest city in the country that too taking an airport cab;my fault?just wanting to reach home asap without having doubts on the cab driver’s intentions
— Dr. N (@doctorniikii) November 9, 2024
SAVDHAN RAHEIN,SATARK RAHEIN pic.twitter.com/ps3tTc0ePR
Nikita Malik shared her experience on X (formerly Twitter) where she mentioned everything with a caption, “Omit my handwriting, I hope you understand you’re not safe travelling alone even in one of the most safest city in the country that too taking an airport cab; my fault? just wanting to reach home asap without having doubts on the cab driver’s intentions
SAVDHAN RAHEIN,SATARK RAHEIN”
Nikita arrived at the airport around 10:30 pm on November 8, 2024, and booked an Ola cab from the official pickup point. However, a driver who wasn’t assigned to her ride approached her and offered to take her to her destination. The driver didn’t ask for the usual OTP to verify the ride. When she asked him to enter it on the Ola app, the driver claimed the app wasn’t working.
Nikita told the driver, Basavaraj, that she would pay the Rs 1,300 fare shown on the Ola app. However, he said she had to pay Rs 1,500, claiming it was for a luxury car. Nikita refused to pay more and asked him to take her back to the Terminal 1 pickup point, as per the Deccan Herald report.
According to the FIR, Basavaraj ignored her request and kept driving. While in the car, Nikita called a relative to explain the situation. Basavaraj then stopped at a fuel station and demanded Rs 500 from her. Following her relative’s advice, Nikita called 112, the police helpline and shared her live location as well.
According to the Deccan Herald report, when Nikita refused to pay for the fuel and told Basavaraj she had contacted the police, he finally drove her back to Terminal 1. The police arrived soon after and detained Basavaraj for questioning. He was arrested for cheating by impersonation under BNS Section 319(2).
almost got trafficked/raped/looted/assaulted by a random cab driver who was let in by @BLRAirport in the Ola pickup station & impersonated to be one at terminal 1 of BLR airport at 10:30pm
— Dr. N (@doctorniikii) November 9, 2024
had I not called 112, I’d not be here typing this pic.twitter.com/QpFdlRJFjF
In the post shared by Nikita Malik on X, she shared details of the incident as she highlighted the risks posed by unauthorised drivers impersonating services like Ola. Nikita claimed that she booked an Ola cab from the airport’s designated pickup area around 10:30 pm on November 8, 2024. She wrote, “almost got trafficked/raped/looted/assaulted by a random cab driver who was let in by @BLRAirport in the Ola pickup station & impersonated to be one at terminal 1 of BLR airport at 10:30 pm had I not called 112, I’d not be here typing this”
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How To Spot Fake Taxis
- The best way to ensure you get into a safe vehicle is to use official services like airport-authorised taxi counters or well-known ride apps like Uber or Ola. (Best Apps For Solo Female Travellers In India)
- Look for airport-approved taxis marked with a logo, vehicle registration number, and the driver's ID.
- Before getting into any vehicle, confirm that the driver’s ID is visible. Fake cabs often lack this or have fake documents, number plates, and more.
- Cross-check the car’s licence plate number with the one provided by the app and then only enter the cab.
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Emergency Helpline Numbers
To stay safe, it’s crucial to have access to emergency contact numbers. Here are some useful helplines:
- Police Helpline: 100
- National Commission for Women Helpline - 7827170170
- Women In Distress Helpline Number: 1091
- National Emergency Number: 112
Incidents like the one at Bengaluru Airport remind us that while travelling, we must remain vigilant to ensure our safety. Fake taxis can be dangerous, but with the right precautions and knowledge, you can avoid falling victim to these scams.
For more such stories, stay tuned to HerZindagi.
Image credit: Freepik and Twitter
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