WORLDWIDE TAXI FOCUS from France
PARIS TAXI SCAM SMASHED: FOUR MEN CHARGED AFTER TOURISTS SWINDLED
A sophisticated gang of fake cabbies who alleg- edly scammed unsus- pecting tourists in Paris out of nearly £600,000 using rigged card readers is facing up to a decade in prison. Operating bet- ween December 2024 and January 2026, the four unlicensed drivers reportedly targeted tourists near major landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower and the Trocadéro. The group utilised counterfeit number plates on eight vehicles provided by the alleged ringleader, a 27-year- old man named Boubaker. According to investigators, the syndicate coordinated their high-stakes fraud through a Snapchat group brazenly named ‘Elchapo94’, a nod to the notorious Mexican drug lord. The operation relied on a tactic known as the ‘sum up’ scam. Drivers allegedly manipulated contactless payment terminals by obscuring the screen or using devices with damaged displays to hide the true cost of the ride allowing them to secretly skyrocket small fares e.g. altering a standard €19 charge to a staggering €1,900 before presenting the terminal to victims. Many passengers didn’t notice the deception until days later when checking their bank statements. Around 80 tourists are currently trying to recoup total losses of €680,000. One victim, identified locally as David, thought he had paid a reasonable €38.60, only to discover he had been hit with a €2,500 charge. “I immediately blocked my card, opened a dispute with my bank, and filed a complaint,” he said. The scam also had a violent edge. Prosecutors allege the gang resorted to physical force if passengers challenged the exorbitant fares. In one shocking incident, a customer was run over by a driver after disputing a charge. Police eventually cracked the case by analysing phone records, which led to coordinated raids on June 3 at properties on the outskirts of Paris. During a search of Boubaker’s home, officers seized €53,000 in cash, a Kalashnikov assault rifle, and ammunition. Raids on other suspects uncovered large sums of money, luxury
PHTM JULY 2026
goods, fake licence plates, and taxi equipment. The defendants have been charged with fraud and money laundering but have not yet formally entered pleas.
from Croatia
ZAGREB CABBIES CHARGING UP TO €85 FOR 5KM RIDES UNDER LOOPHOLE LAW
Significant differences in taxi fares continue to shock passengers across Zagreb, with some drivers legally permitted to charge up to €85 for a journey of just five kilometres. Regulations introduced in May last year require operators using taximeters to display their maximum allowed fare on the vehicle doors. However, while these prices must be clearly visible, there is currently no legal cap on the amount operators can set, provided it is listed on the vehicle. This system has sparked intense criticism from passengers and consumer groups, with extreme cases on social media showing maximum fares running into thousands of euros for short journeys. A local journalist visited Zagreb’s Main Railway Station and uncovered some of the city’s highest-priced taxis. She found several vehicles displaying maximum fares of €85 for a five-kilometre journey - equivalent to €17 per kilometre - while others listed maximums of €78 and €65. High rates were also spotted near hospitals; at one taxi rank, the highest advertised fare was €42.50 for five kilometres, with others at €31.50 and €25. In stark contrast, established operators charge a fraction of these amounts. Drivers under the Zagrebački taksi brand displayed a maximum fare of €7.90 for five kilometres, while Wizi listed a maximum of €7.80 for the same distance. Meanwhile, taxi services booked through mobile applications operate under different rules that oblige app-based operators to show passengers the total journey price and route before the ride begins, providing much greater transparency. To combat the issue and strengthen oversight, Croatia’s Ministry of Transport has introduced new measures which include mandatory driver identific- ation cards and dedicated “TX” registration plates for official taxi vehicles. Authorities have also announced stricter penalties for irregularities, expanding enforcement powers so that municipal wardens, police officers, and customs officials can join transport inspectors in carrying out compliance checks.
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