Mumbai Taxi Driver Faces Arrest After Overcharging American Tourist

Mumbai police arrested a taxi driver on Friday for allegedly defrauding an American woman by demanding Rs 18,000 for a mere 400-meter journey near the international airport. The incident gained attention after the victim posted about it online, leading to a quick police response from the Sahar station.

The suspect, 50-year-old Deshraj Yadav, operates a permit taxi and lives in Sahar Village. The event unfolded on January 12, when the victim, Argentina Ariano, arrived from the United States for a work assignment. She arranged a cab at the airport to head to a nearby luxury hotel.

Details of the Deception

Rather than driving straight to the destination, Yadav reportedly circled the Andheri East neighborhood for about 20 minutes to simulate a longer trip. He eventually left her at the hotel, which was only half a kilometer from the pickup point, and insisted on the inflated payment of Rs 18,000.

Ariano brought the issue to light on January 26 by uploading a video to social media platform X. Her account quickly spread, amassing over 100,000 views and sparking public anger. In the post, she described the ordeal, stating: “Landed in Mumbai recently and took a taxi to @HiltonHotels. The driver and another guy took us to an unknown location first, charged us $200 (≈Rs 18,000), and then dropped us at the hotel which was only 400m away. Taxi No: MH 01 BD 5405 #taxidriver #mumbai #RepublicDay2026 #india.”

Police Investigation and Arrest

Acting on the viral post, Sahar police launched a probe. Unable to reach Ariano right away, they filed a First Information Report on their own initiative on January 27, adding details on January 28. The charges include Section 318(4) for cheating and Section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Using the taxi’s registration number from the post, officers located Yadav in Sahar Village. They impounded the white Toyota Etios involved and took him into custody just three hours after filing the report. He appeared in court and was placed in judicial custody.

Investigators revealed that two people participated in the scheme. While Yadav is detained, his accomplice, Taufiq Shaikh, remains at large. Authorities are conducting searches to capture the fugitive.

Broader Context and Similar Incidents

Police leaders emphasized how social media can expose such frauds and vowed firm measures against those targeting visitors. The ongoing inquiry will check for prior offenses by the suspects.

This case echoes recent overcharging reports in the area. On December 24, 2024, an Australian-Indian businessman was billed Rs 2,800 for a 10-minute airport-to-Vile Parle hotel ride, resulting in the driver’s arrest after a complaint. Similarly, on December 14, 2024, an auto-rickshaw operator was detained for extracting Rs 3,500 from a U.S.-based student, despite the meter reading Rs 106 for the trip to Chembur.