Taxi Scams

Taxi scams include inflated fares, rigged meters, airport overcharging and drivers earning kickbacks from brothels, strip clubs and massage parlors. The outcall or bar-girl scam can be part of the same racket. The same driver may be working more than one angle on the same passenger.

A taxi in Bangkok.

Taxi Kickbacks From Brothels, Strip Clubs and Massage Parlors

It's an open secret in bar street and red-light district cities. The driver gets paid for delivering you to the door, and his recommendation may depend on who pays him the most money.

In Las Vegas, strip clubs and erotic massage parlors pay drivers $20–$100 for each passenger they drop off, and drivers have "spotters" outside to write down cab numbers and the number of passengers. One lawsuit on record claimed the practice cheated tourists out of some $40 million. A brothel run to Pahrump is the jackpot fare. A former Vegas cabbie described the whole scheme.

The usual trick: the driver tells you the night club, nude bar or the other venue you want to go to is "closed tonight", "full" or "not as good", then takes you to the one that pays him the most. Scambusters records the lines "your hotel changed its name" and "that place is closed".

In Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket, tuk-tuk and taxi drivers take you to go-go bars, soapy massage parlors or "ping-pong shows" that pay commission, often with a rigged or padded bill waiting inside.

Drivers and street touts in Tokyo's Kabukichō will try to steer you into hostess clubs with extortionate "nomination fees".

In Istanbul, Cairo, Athens and Rome, drivers "suggest" a restaurant or club owned by a relative, with a commission involved.

If the driver has a strong opinion about where you should go, or insists your destination is closed, ask yourself what he gets out of taking you somewhere else.

Outcall and Bar-Girl Scams

These scams happen when the girl comes to you (outcall) or you pick her up from a bar.

Bar fine and drinks. In Thailand, you pay a "bar fine" to take a girl out, then her fee and her lady drinks. The bar can inflate the lady-drink tab because you never saw a price list. Go-go bar fines are 700–1,500 THB in addition to 2,000–6,000 THB for her time.

The "mamasan fee" or "room fee". A hidden fee tacked on at the end.

Bait and switch. The escort you meet or see in the photo is not the girl who shows up. Bait-and-switch therapists and post-session overcharging are reported scams for outcall massage in Bangkok.

Theft or a "long time" walkout. She agrees to "long time", accepts payment, then leaves after one round. Or she lifts cash and valuables from your room while you shower.

Drink upselling. She'll try to sell you champagne or "specials" at marked-up prices on your tab. Sometimes an accomplice tags along.

Money swap. "You shorted me." She says the note you gave her was a smaller denomination.

The girl runs up the bill, then the bouncer makes sure you pay. You're surrounded and pressured. Sometimes the door is locked, as one tourist described on the Thailand forums. See Drink scam, Bar and Nightclub Scams and Massage parlor scams.

Taxi Fare, Meter and Airport Scams

"Meter broken." The driver quotes a flat rate three to five times the real fare. Reported in Istanbul, all over Africa, Bangkok and Cairo.

Rigged meter. Fake distance or time with a hidden switch or app. Reported in Rome, Barcelona, Paris and Mexico City.

The long way round, or "tunnelling". Navigating a maze in an unfamiliar town. Reported everywhere, including Buenos Aires, Bangkok, Cairo and Rome.

Airport taxi mafia. Unlicensed touts grab you before you get to the rank. Fixed-fee cartels are reported around Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, Cairo, Rome's Fiumicino airport, Istanbul and Delhi.

No change. You give a big note, and the driver keeps the change. Reported in Egypt, Thailand and India.

Counterfeit bill swap. The driver "inspects" your note, swaps it for a fake and claims yours was counterfeit. Reported in Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia and South America.

Card skimming. A handheld reader copies your card details and you get later random card charges.

Wrong location or "your hotel has changed". Related to the kickback racket above.

Bali and Mexico also have taxi-cartel complaints involving "no meter, flat rate" demands. Bangkok tuk-tuks may charge per stop. Another familiar trick is the gem-shop detour: "The Grand Palace is closed."

Taxi Scam Reports by Destination

Racket Locations mentioned in reports
Taxi-to-club or brothel kickbacks Las Vegas, Bangkok, Pattaya, Kabukichō, Istanbul
Outcall and bar-girl bill padding Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Manila, Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City
Flat-rate "broken meter" scam Bangkok, Istanbul, Cairo, Marrakech
Rigged meter or long route Rome, Barcelona, Paris, Mexico City, Buenos Aires
Airport taxi rackets Bangkok, Cairo, Rome, Istanbul, Delhi
Banknote swapping and counterfeit-note claims Egypt, Thailand, Argentina, Romania

Uber, Bolt and Yango Scams

Booking through Uber, Bolt or Yango doesn't put an end to taxi scams. Instead of a dodgy meter, the problem may be cancellation fees, extra cash demands or a trip that keeps running after you get out.

Cancellation pressure. A driver accepts, then stops moving or asks you to cancel. You may be charged a cancellation fee, depending on the platform's rules. Keep the messages and report an unfair charge through the application.

Off-app cash demands. "Cash is faster" or "cancel and pay me directly" can turn an app booking into an unrecorded private ride. Don't agree just because the driver wants to avoid fees. How ever, you can choose cash payment on the app also.

Route padding. Missed exits, unnecessary detours or extra stops can increase the fare where pricing allows adjustments. Follow the route and check the final bill.

Wrong pickup location. The driver parks far away and pressures you to walk over. A changed pickup point is not automatically a scam, but don't follow instructions into an isolated street just to save the driver trouble.

Unfinished trips. Check that the ride ends when you get out. If the driver keeps the trip running, save the receipt and report the extra charge.

Apps give you a driver profile, registration number and trip history. They do not guarantee an honest driver or a refund. Check the car and plate before getting in, and keep the booking recorded in the app.

Unofficial Airport and Nightlife Rides

Private drivers found through WhatsApp, social media or nightlife groups may ask for a deposit to "hold your airport pickup". If they disappear, you're left without the money or the ride. Don't treat a stranger's chat account as proof of a transport business.

For regular cabs, check the meter or agreed fare before the car moves and follow the route on your phone. If you decline the ride, get out only while the vehicle is safely stopped. With app bookings, don't accept an unrecorded replacement ride or pay twice because the driver claims the app payment failed.

How to Avoid Taxi Scams

Choose your destination before getting into the taxi. If the driver says it is closed, check with the venue rather than accepting his replacement.

Use an official taxi rank or a reputable booking service. Confirm whether the trip uses a meter or an agreed fare, including airport fees, tolls and extra stops.

Keep the destination address on your phone and follow the route. Don't agree to unsolicited shopping, club or massage detours.

Carry smaller notes. State the denomination when handing over cash and keep the note visible until the driver accepts it.

A driver's recommendation does not confirm a venue's prices. Check drink, entrance, room and service charges yourself before ordering. If threatened, prioritize getting somewhere safe rather than arguing over the bill.

See Also

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