Mumbai Taxi Scam: Driver Charges US Tourist INR 18,000 for 400-Metre Ride From Near Mumbai International Airport to 5-Star Hotel, Arrested

Mumbai, January 30: The Sahar Police have arrested a 50-year-old taxi driver for allegedly cheating a United States national by charging her INR 18,000 (approximately USD 200) for a journey of just 400 metres in Mumbai. The incident, which occurred on January 12, came to light after the victim shared her ordeal on social media earlier this week.

Following the viral post, Mumbai Police took suo motu cognizance and apprehended the driver, identified as Deshraj Yadav, within three hours of registering a First Information Report (FIR). The victim, Argentina Ariano, had landed at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and hired the taxi to reach the Hilton Hotel, located barely a few hundred metres away. Instead of taking the direct route, the driver reportedly took the passenger on a 20-minute "detour" around Andheri (East) to justify an exorbitant fare. Kamaal R Khan Granted Bail: Mumbai Court Grants Bail to KRK in Oshiwara Firing Incident on Personal Bond of INR 25,000.

The Detour and Overcharging

According to police investigations, Yadav and an accomplice, identified as Toufique Shaikh, spotted the foreign tourist and planned the offense. They reportedly took the woman to an unknown location and a "wrong hotel" first. When she pointed out the mistake, the duo allegedly claimed it would cost USD 200 to reach her actual destination.

The woman, unfamiliar with the local geography, agreed to the amount. It was only after checking into her hotel that she realised the facility was less than half a kilometer from the airport terminal. Despite the shock, she did not report the incident to hotel staff at the time and later traveled to Pune before returning to the US. Who Is Sanjay Pandey? All About Former Mumbai Police Commissioner Who Has Been Accused of Framing Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde in the ULC Scam.

The scam gained public attention on January 26, when Ariano created an account on X (formerly Twitter) specifically to flag the incident. She posted the taxi registration number (MH 01 BD 5405) and photos of the two individuals involved. The post quickly garnered over 1.15 lakh views and triggered widespread outrage.

Mumbai Police used Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) tools and the vehicle registration details provided in the tweet to track the taxi to Sahar Village. Senior Police Inspector Manoj Chalke and his team managed to identify Yadav by cross-referencing the photos with airport security personnel and other cab drivers.

Yadav has been booked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for cheating and extortion. His vehicle has been seized, and the police have formally requested the Regional Transport Office (RTO) to cancel his driving license and permit permanently. While Yadav is currently in police custody, his accomplice, Shaikh, remains at large. Authorities are also attempting to record the victim’s formal statement via video conferencing to strengthen the legal case against the duo.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 30, 2026 08:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).