An unscrupulous Hong Kong taxi driver may have set a new record by charging a Swiss tourist HKD8,000 for a journey from the airport to a hotel in Hung Hom this morning.
The tourist was charged at least 30 times the typical fare for that distance, which is normally HKD200 to HKD300.
He apparently only became suspicious once he paid the driver and got out of the cab at the Plaza Metropolis Hotel around 2am. He told the hotel staff, who helped him make a report to the police.
However, clearly with more money than tolerance for fuss, the 22-year-old Swiss man, only identified as Adrian, has decided not to pursue the case as he is leaving Hong Kong soon.
A police source told the SCMP, however, that they will follow up on the complaint as the amount of money lost in the scam may be a record.
“This type of misconduct could affect Hong Kong’s reputation as a tourist destination. The force’s traffic unit will follow up the case,” the sourced said.
Photo: Myriam Tsen-Kung/Coconuts Media
Reader Interactions