Commuters in Bengaluru This week flagged a new taxi scam specifically targeting women traveling to the airport. Numerous social media accounts accused drivers of being affiliated with popular platforms. Ola, Uber and Rapido charging exorbitant amounts far above the expected fee without any recourse.

“They stop the vehicle halfway, saying there is no fuel, and they ask you to pay at the gas pump, saying 1100 is shown, I will only need 1000. If you refuse to pay they say I won’t move, half of your flight will be missed so you pay. They take a shortcut from the internal road from that point, avoiding the toll. Your effective amount will be 800 since the toll is not passed, but you have already paid 1000. Where is 200? No, he won’t pay back,” summed up X user Shivam Sourav Jha.

Many other social media users also recalled facing similar harrowing experiences while trying to reach Bengaluru airport.

“This is a common tactic they follow. One of my colleagues encountered this earlier this month. I started using MakeMyTrip taxis for airport pick-up and drop-off services, which I booked while booking my flight. I am happy with their service so far,” complained one user.

“I took a taxi on Saturday and he took the internal route, even when I repeatedly asked for the fare. And that road is completely isolated and there are not even proper street lights. Another wrote that he was fully alert the whole way until he reached the airport.

“Olacabs driver took me for an extra 20 km ride and inflated the price ₹880 to ₹1400. The distance from Whitefield to the airport by any road is 40km, but he took us on a long route and covered 60km instead of 40km,” recounted a third.