Vietnam: Incidents of Unlicensed Taxis Operated by Vietnamese Posing as GRAB (Online Ride-Hailing Service) Drivers

スポンサーリンク
スポンサーリンク
March 12, 2024

Recently, there have been increasing reports of unlicensed taxi scams (including overcharging and theft) by Vietnamese individuals posing as GRAB drivers.

Examples of Incidents:

Case 1:
At Tan Son Nhat International Airport, a person was waiting for a taxi booked through the GRAB app while looking at their phone. A Vietnamese man approached, showing his phone and claiming, “I am your driver.” After getting into his car, it turned out to be an unlicensed taxi, and the victim was charged an exorbitant fare.

Case 2:
After booking a GRAB ride, the person mistakenly got into the car of someone posing as the driver. Shortly after, the real driver called to ask, “Where are you?” The fake driver then took the phone, canceled the ride, and later demanded an unreasonable fare.

Case 3:
After booking a GRAB ride, the person was about to get into a car, but noticed that the license plate did not match the one displayed on the app. When they pointed this out, the driver claimed, “I recently changed my license plate, so the number is different, but I am your driver.” Trusting this, the person got into the car, only to have their wallet stolen from their luggage upon exiting.

Precautionary Measures:

  1. Always verify that the vehicle information displayed in the GRAB app matches the car before getting in. If needed, call the driver through the GRAB app to confirm their identity.
  2. If asked to sit in the front seat, pay close attention to the driver’s behavior. Do not hand your wallet to the driver or allow them to count your cash. Fake drivers often insist on the passenger sitting in the front seat. They may then demand an exorbitant fare and ask to see the contents of your wallet, stealing cash in the process.
  3. The GRAB app allows for cash payments as well as pre-payment via credit card. Consider using the pre-payment option if necessary.
  4. If you realize that the driver is fake after getting into the car, consider requesting to get out, while paying close attention to your personal safety. If possible, take a photo of the vehicle, including the license plate, after getting out, and consider reporting the incident to the police.

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