Key Points:
• A Japanese traveler was threatened with a firearm and extorted for an excessive fare while traveling from Ezeiza Airport to Buenos Aires city.
• To avoid such incidents, it is recommended to either use the taxi counters within the airport or ride-sharing apps like Uber, ensuring that the driver has a good rating.
Details:
1. Incident Overview:
• Date and Time:
Around 1:00 AM on Sunday, August 9, 2024.
• Location:
Near Ezeiza Airport, Buenos Aires Province.
• Victim and Loss:
Japanese male traveler; cash amounting to 35,000 Argentine pesos.
• Incident Description:
The victim took a taxi from Ezeiza Airport to his accommodation in Buenos Aires city after negotiating a fare of 35,000 pesos for the 32-kilometer trip. However, once the taxi left the airport, the driver demanded a new fare of 5 USD per kilometer. When the victim refused, saying he didn’t have such an amount, the driver threatened him with a gun and told him to withdraw money from an ATM. After explaining that he had no bank account, the driver demanded all the cash the victim had. The victim handed over 35,000 pesos and was then dropped off on a deserted road about 2-3 kilometers from the airport.
2. Safety Precautions:
• In Argentina, taxis are commonly used for transportation, but robberies and extortion by drivers are frequent, especially when using street-hail taxis. Previous reports have indicated passengers being overcharged or having their belongings stolen by drivers after exiting the vehicle to retrieve luggage.
• To avoid such incidents, it is advised to use the official taxi counters inside the airport or ride-sharing apps like Uber, where you can check the driver’s rating in advance.
• At Ezeiza Airport, you can arrange a taxi from the “Taxi Ezeiza” counter within the terminal. There are also bus services to Buenos Aires city, which may be a safer alternative.
• Similar incidents have also been reported at Jorge Newbery Airport (Aeroparque) in Buenos Aires. It is recommended to use the QR code displayed at the taxi stands for safer boarding procedures.
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