Commuters in Bengaluru reported a new taxi scam this week, particularly targeting women traveling to the airport. Several social media accounts have accused drivers affiliated with popular platforms, including Ola, Uber and Rapido, of charging exorbitant amounts – way above the expected rate, without any recourse.

“They stop the vehicle midway on the pretext that there is no fuel and ask you to pay at the petrol pump saying 1100 is shown I would only need 1000. If you refuse to pay, they will say I won’t move, it’s halfway your flight will be missed, so you pay. They take the shortcut of the internal road from this point avoiding the toll. Since no tolls are passed, your effective amount would be 800, but you have already paid 1000. Where is 200? No, he won’t pay it back,” summed up X user Shivam Sourav Jha.

Several other social media users also recall having similarly harrowing experiences while trying to reach the Bangalore airport.

“This is a common tactic they follow. A colleague of mine faced this earlier this month. I started using MakeMyTrip taxis for airport pick-up facilities, which I book while booking the flight. So far I am satisfied with their services,” one user complained.

“On Saturday I took a taxi, and he took the internal route even though I asked several times to take the toll. And this road is completely isolated and there is not even proper street lighting. I was completely on high alert all that way to the airport,” another wrote.

“The Olacabs driver took me an additional 20 km journey and at an inflated price of ₹880 to ₹1400. From Whitefield to the airport, by any road, the distance is 40 km, but he took us a long way and did 60 km instead of 40 km,” said a third.