Bucharest Taxi Drivers Use Remote-Control Device to Inflate Fares for Tourists

Romanian police arrested a taxi driver in Bucharest's Old Town last weekend after discovering he used an illegal electronic device to fraudulently increase taxi fares. During a routine evening check, officers found a remote control hidden under the handbrake in the vehicle. This device, known locally as a "monkey," allows drivers to remotely manipulate the taxi meter, artificially inflating the distance recorded and thus the fare charged to passengers.

The driver was fined under Romanian taxi regulations, and authorities forwarded the case to the city's transportation department to consider suspending his taxi license. Police warned passengers to always check their receipts after rides and to refuse payment and report immediately if the fare or route seems suspicious.

This incident highlights an ongoing problem in Bucharest, where tourists have frequently reported being overcharged by taxi drivers. About six months ago, three Israeli tourists experienced a similar scam when a driver demanded an exorbitant fare for a short five-minute ride. Police continue to urge vigilance to prevent such fraudulent practices.