A 50-year-old taxi driver has been arrested in Mumbai for allegedly cheating an American tourist by charging ₹18,000 for a journey of barely 400 metres, after the victim shared her ordeal on social media, prompting swift police action.
The incident came to light earlier this week when the foreign national posted details of her experience on social media platform X, alleging that she was overcharged during a short taxi ride from the airport to a nearby hotel. The post quickly gained traction online, following which the police took suo motu cognisance and registered a case.
Police identified the accused as Deshraj Yadav, who was arrested within three hours of the complaint being registered. According to investigators, Yadav had picked up the American tourist from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and dropped her at a five-star hotel located in the vicinity of the airport.
Preliminary investigation revealed that although the hotel was situated only around 400 metres from the airport, the taxi driver allegedly misled the tourist by driving her around the Andheri East area for nearly 20 minutes. After circling the locality, he reportedly brought her back to the same area and dropped her at the hotel, charging an exorbitant amount for the ride.
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In her social media post, the tourist stated that she and her companion were taken to an unfamiliar location by the taxi driver and another individual before being asked to pay 200 US dollars — approximately ₹18,000 — for the journey. She added that they were eventually dropped at their hotel, which turned out to be just a short walking distance from the airport.
Police officials said the viral post triggered an immediate response. Based on the details available online, a preliminary inquiry was initiated, CCTV footage from the airport vicinity was examined, and the taxi’s movement was traced. These inputs helped investigators identify the driver and locate him within hours.
An officer involved in the probe said that although the foreign national could not be contacted directly during the initial stages of the investigation, the available evidence, including the social media post and technical inputs, was sufficient to proceed with legal action against the accused.
Investigators are also probing the role of the second person who was allegedly present in the taxi during the incident. Police are trying to establish whether the cheating was carried out independently by the driver or if others were involved in a broader pattern of targeting foreign tourists.
The case has once again brought focus on the issue of tourist safety in Mumbai, particularly around key transit points such as airports and railway stations. Tourism sector observers say incidents of overcharging and misrepresentation, even if isolated, can significantly damage the city’s reputation among international visitors.
Police officials said that following the incident, additional checks are being planned on taxi operations around the airport area. Authorities are reviewing existing mechanisms for monitoring taxi fares, driver verification and grievance redressal, especially for passengers unfamiliar with local routes and pricing norms.
Officials added that strict action would be taken against anyone found exploiting tourists, and warned taxi drivers against engaging in unfair practices. They said increased surveillance, random checks and coordination with transport authorities are being considered to prevent similar incidents.
The accused is currently in police custody and is being questioned. Further legal action will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation. If evidence of organised cheating or involvement of additional persons emerges, more arrests may follow.
The incident underscores the importance of quick police response and the growing role of social media in highlighting alleged misconduct. It also serves as a reminder of the need for robust safeguards to protect tourists in major metropolitan cities from financial exploitation.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
