[sibi6613]

Hi BHPians!

I was recently scammed by an auto guy in Bengaluru and this is how it all went down.

I was going from Chennai to Bengaluru to visit my friend over the weekend and reached Silk Board bus stop around 9.30pm. My phone started to behave weirdly and wouldn't let me access the internet. Since I do not know Kannada or Hindi, I always use Ola/Uber/Rapido to book rides. My friend's place was in Sarjapur Road - about 9km from the bus stop at Silk Board. While I was frantically trying to book an auto/cab, a local autowala approached me and said he'll take me there on a metered auto + Rs.40 extra. But as soon as I got into the auto, he told me that he wants 1.5 times the meter amount. On Ola/Uber autos, I would usually be charged 90-100 Rupees. So 1.5 times that is somewhat similar to the meter + Rs.40 that he said earlier. So I did not suspect anything and got on the auto. There was another guy with him who sat in the front.

The meter started climbing up past only about half a km or so. I was sure that the minimum fare would be calculated for at least a couple of kilometers and this was a huge red flag. I saw the meter climb up very quickly even when stationary at a signal. I realised that these guys have a tampered meter and I asked him to drop me off at the Agara bus stop. By the time he stopped, the meter was already at Rs.120 and it was a distance of merely ~4km. He demanded Rs180 and since I did not want to argue in a language that I did not speak, in a nearly pitch dark area , at 10pm, when there were two of them and I was alone, I gave him a Rs.500 note. The other guy started chatting with me. He took the note to his side and then staring at it, he told me it was a Rs.100 note and that I got confused because both are of similar sizes. I genuinely thought it was my mistake and gave him another Rs.500 note . He told me the same story this time and then I realised. These two nice people were just trying to get a better life for themselves, albeit by scamming gullible people. I was so dumbstruck that I genuinely feared for my life that moment and gave him two more Rs.100 notes (I didn't get back those two Rs.100 notes that he showed me, I knew this but I just wanted to run from that place) and surprisingly even got back 20 Rupees. The damage to my wallet was (Rs.1180 - whatever the meter charge should have been)

I didn't even think a second about arguing with them. I gave them the last 200 Rupees knowing that I was being scammed and I never felt so powerless in my life till then. I'm 22 and I guess the world isn't full of nice people as I had imagined it to be.

I am never going to take an auto that isn't attached to Ola/Uber no matter in which city I am in or what the surge price is.


I have a clip of the meter climbing up so fast.

https://youtu.be/zFvUcwumTQM

Also, I have noted down the registration number - KA01AJ7692.

Please avoid this guy if you can remember this incident and this registration number.

[dark.knight]

Originally Posted by sibi6613

I didn't even think a second about arguing with them. I gave them the last 200 Rupees knowing that I was being scammed and I never felt so powerless in my life till then. I'm 22 and I guess the world isn't full of nice people as I had imagined it to be.

I am never going to take an auto that isn't attached to Ola/Uber no matter in which city I am in or what the surge price is.

I'll say there are more than a few of these people around, we've run across a couple of these thugs as well, but when one asked for change for 500 before the trip even started, we got out having seen through his weird request, this was in broad daylight. The 2nd one pulled a nice scam on me when I was alone, but I think it was something like showing a 50 note when I'd paid 100 or so, yes they have a sleight of hand and show it so quick that we have no choice but to accept it as our fault. I knew I was shafted but had to swallow my pride as even if I'd called the crowd to tell them his crime, he can easily say that the 100 note was with him even before I got in. Check and mate.

As a Bangalorean, I'd say don't lose faith in all of these auto guys (though I dislike most of them and their rash driving myself). Many are "quite" straightforward and will not charge even a rupee extra from the meter reading, many times a hauled auto is also cheaper than OLA autos as I've discovered (surge times).

Paying nearly Rs. 1200 for 4km is a record of sorts, I'd say I've never ever heard of such an atrocious fare, they may have as well brandished a knife to extract your whole wallet. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that they are seasoned thugs, that meter was running faster than a clock.

If you're upto it, please report the same to the traffic police ASAP, tag them on Twitter and link this page or video to them. Three hundred rupees per km charged with a "hot" meter on top of that is no crime to be forgotten, he should be delisted as a rickshaw driver, his license should be canceled and he should be put behind bars for a few days for this.

Thank you for this awareness post, times are such that people will do anything that is a dishonest livelihood, however do know that most autos are quite ok and wouldnt have charged more than Rs.150 (even that is way overpriced) for a late night commmute of 4 km. Also never hand them a note that is larger than Rs.200, and preferably Rs.100 with the best case being, giving exact change as per meter.

At that moment though, I feel you did the best thing by backing off, they had zero noble intentions that night. Now you can take the legal route if you so wish, no guarantees of justice, of course.

[landcruiser123]

Sorry to hear the unfortunate incident, and I do agree that most auto drivers I've encountered are rouges. I've nearly paid Rs. 150 instead of Rs.100 once. Please report the incident to the police.

Three things I'd do:
1. Try to stop under a street light near your destination or use your cell phone
2. Ask them to hand back the cash to you to avoid dispute
3. Prepare with the amount before the trip and keep it in a different pocket. I'd put Rs.200 in my pocket before I start the ride. The auto driver won't ever see your wallet and that'll reduce temptation to scam

If things go out of hand, the mention of the word "police" and take a photo to scare them.


EDIT: The auto driver having a friend is itself a red-flag. I'd never get into such an auto.

[speedmiester]

Originally Posted by sibi6613

Hi BHPians!

I was recently scammed by an auto guy in Bengaluru and this is how it all went down.

This is a very common scam.
All autos have to register themselves with their respective RTOs and are provided with a 4 digit number which has to prominently displayed on the Auto. Also the driver information has to displayed inside the Auto.
If these two things are not present, avoid them like plague. These are usually driven such anti-social elements.

[tharian]

You have the video evidence of the tampered meter as well as the registration number. Report this via Twitter to the cops.
Totally understand you being helpless in a different city at night and being 2 against 1. But do the right thing now from your part by reporting this, especially when we have powerful social media platforms.

And take this as one of life's lessons.

[condor]

Very common and old scam from the time the digital meters came in - apparently the meter is rigged with the trigger in the turn indicator switch. So each time they flick the indicator, the meter jumps.

And as told to me by one auto guy, there is almost no point in complaining. Even if the case goes to court, he has enough time to do the disconnect and let the meter run as it should. And a case in court will often take time. Even if it doesnt, unless you can prove that it is happening, you may end up getting fined for a "false" complaint - and compensation to him for his "loss" of earning.

Sad state of things.

One of the reasons why I avoid autos as much as possible. Uber/Ola is still ok, though we pay a little higher most of the time. (A female colleague uses Uber/Ola auto's even a little into the night to the outskirts because of the more organized setup they have, and in new cities one can these services to be on the safer side).

[GTO]

You did the sensible thing . Life & health are more important than 1100 bucks. I've told my family the same thing = if a thief holds a knife to your neck, willingly hand over every damn thing on you.

You must report it to the cops though, especially since you have video evidence and his number-plate.

[Guna]

Bangalore is one place where auto rickshaw guys have 100 ways to cheat you. When I was using auto rickshaws for commuting, I used to be extra vigilant but still would end up getting cheated most of the time. If you try to argue with them, it is like throwing a stone in to mud (you will be spattered with choosiest abuses in Kannada).

[vharihar]

Mumbai/Thane autorickshaws are the best (and I think Pune too). Their fares are extremely reasonable/low. They're willing to work harder, and are extremely honest. They never cheat in the routing, and return change to the last penny. I've had a few occasions where they've been happy with Re 1 *less* too, due to lack of change.

[sibi6613]

Thank you all for your inputs. There's this battle in my head about reporting this incident to the police. One part of me says "Give it a shot. There's nothing you can lose" and the other part says "Are you ready to face the follow-ups given that you've not had an interaction with any cop so far".

I am going to report it via twitter and see what happens.

[vharihar]

Originally Posted by sibi6613

Thank you all for your inputs. There's this battle in my head about reporting this incident to the police. One part of me says "Give it a shot. There's nothing you can lose" and the other part says "Are you ready to face the follow-ups given that you've not had an interaction with any cop so far".

I am going to report it via twitter and see what happens.

Tweet to inspector, ACP, DCP, @blrcitytraffic

[sibi6613]

Originally Posted by sibi6613

I am going to report it via twitter and see what happens.

I've tweeted it to the police here. https://twitter.com/Sibi6613/status/...856492034?s=19

Any retweets/shares to make this reach the concerned authorities will be really helpful.

[vharihar]

Great. Apparently you can also post a complaint using the "ichangemycity" app. Install the app, login using mobile# and OTP, click "Post complaint", search for categories by typing "rickshaw" in the search box, then post your complaint description and submit.

[2000rpm]

Bangalore is pathetic when it comes to autowalas. They are crooks of the highest order. With the inflow of IT people and expansion of Bangalore from non-core locations, this is bound to increase in my view.

I have had multiple arguments with Autowallahs on the street because AFTER Paying them 10 rs extra on the 1.5X fare for a 2 km ride, they used to refuse returning change of 30 rupees in a 100 rupee note.

Morons of highest order. Please go to a police station and report this. We have seen how video evidence helps build a solid case on Team BHP.

Beware, its common thing that the Traffic cops are IN on such scams. Be vigilant on this, if you sense something fishy, get out of there.

Coming from Mumbai, this was absolutely shocking and I have fought multiple autowallahs but never where I have been outnumbered.

Also, a tweet will rarely solve anything.

[Kannan]

I always take Uber or Ola auto or cab in Bengaluru. No way I take normal autos.

Recently I landed at KR Puram railway station at 06:00 in the morning and was searching for Uber auto to Kalyan Nagar. It showed a rate of ₹77, but unfortunately none of the Uber autos were accepting it seems and the app was searching. There were no Uber cabs as well.

Meanwhile an auto wala approached me and I told him the place. He said ₹250, I politely declined. Then another auto wala approached me saying ₹150. I declined again.

Then an running auto came and he too said ₹150 and since it was early in the morning I told him I will give ₹100 and he adamantly said ₹150, by this time an auto wala came walking towards him and in a hurried manner he accepted for ₹100 and we started.

My wife always insists on putting meter or she rejects out right, but I guess with this souped up meter, I don't think even metered autos are reliable. Once you get into auto I guess we are left with no option but to pay whatever it shows.

Off topic:

1. Previously I used to find Uber or Ola auto/cabs easily, but these days, it's becoming difficult to get one. Am I the only one to experience this in Bangalore and in Chennai?

2. Does anyone feel that Ola charges are always higher than Uber charges regardless of auto or cab?