‘New cab scam in city’: Bengaluru man alleges Rs 258 fare inflated to Rs 5,950 by driver

Man alleges cab extortion racket after Rs 258 ride becomes Rs 5,950

A viral post on social media has put the spotlight on an alleged cab scam in Bengaluru, with a user accusing a driver of attempting to extort money by inflating the fare nearly 20 times. The claim has triggered concern among commuters, with several users saying they have faced similar incidents in the city.

The allegation was shared by an X user, who described a troubling experience during a ride booked via Ola from Majestic to Jalahalli. According to the post, the fare displayed on the app was Rs 285 at the time of booking. However, upon reaching the destination, the driver allegedly presented a bill of Rs 5,950 on his own device and demanded full payment.

The user claimed that the driver insisted the amount was linked to previously cancelled rides and warned that it would be deducted from his account if not paid. Despite showing the app’s fare, the passenger said the driver became increasingly aggressive and continued to pressure him for the higher amount.

NEW SCAM BY OLA DRIVERS IN BANGALORE

Extremely disturbing experience with an Ola ride today from Majestic to Jalahalli, Bengaluru. The ride initially showed a fare of ₹285 in the Ola app. However, after reaching my destination, the driver showed a bill of ₹5950 on his phone… — Unni (@Unnitalks) March 16, 2026

The situation reportedly escalated further due to a language barrier, as the driver primarily communicated in Kannada, making it difficult for the passenger to argue his case. Seeking help, the user contacted Ola’s emergency support through the app but alleged that the response was unhelpful and dismissive.

According to the post, the support executive repeatedly questioned whether the situation qualified as a safety issue and eventually disconnected the call, stating it was “not an emergency.” The user said this left him alone to handle a tense and potentially unsafe situation.

The matter took a turn when the user’s house owner intervened and suggested heading to a police station. While the user followed a bike and the driver trailed in the cab, the latter allegedly diverted midway and fled the scene.

The post has since gone viral, with many social media users raising concerns about fare transparency, driver behaviour, and the effectiveness of in-app emergency support systems. Several commenters claimed that such incidents are becoming more frequent, pointing to what they described as an emerging pattern.

Bengaluru Police responds

Responding to the development, Bengaluru Police advised the complainant to file a report at the nearest police station. Authorities also urged citizens to dial the emergency helpline 112 in such situations, assuring that a Hoysala patrol vehicle would be dispatched promptly.

Moneycontrol has reached out to Ola for an official response on the allegations and yet to receive one.