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

Romanian police arrested a taxi driver in Bucharest's Old Town 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 that manipulated the taxi meter, artificially inflating the distance and fare charged to passengers. This device, known locally as a "monkey," allows drivers to raise prices at the push of a button.

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

This incident is part of a recurring pattern of fare scams in Bucharest taxis. About six months ago, three Israeli tourists reported being overcharged for a short five-minute ride, highlighting ongoing concerns about taxi fare fraud in the Romanian capital.