Gurgaon online cab scam: Man says driver claimed Rs510 fare while his app showed Rs290

A cab ride from a Gurgaon metro station to a nearby hospital took an unexpected turn after a driver allegedly demanded Rs 510 despite the booking showing a fare of ₹290 on the passenger’s app. The passenger’s uncle refused to pay the higher amount without seeing the actual ride details, following which the driver eventually accepted the original Rs290 fare.

According to the account shared online, the driver initially claimed that Rs510 was the fare displayed on his phone and suggested that the passenger’s app had not been updated. When asked to open the booking details and show the current ride information, the driver allegedly refused.

The passenger then checked the fare on his own phone and told the driver, “App mein Rs290 dikha raha hai. Main wahi pay karunga.” The driver continued giving explanations and declined to show the booking screen.


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After a few minutes, the driver reportedly realised that the passenger would not agree to the higher amount and finally said, “Theek hai sir, Rs290 de do.” The passenger paid Rs290 and left.

Why checking the booking details matters

The person who shared the incident later said they came across similar claims from passengers on X and Reddit. According to those accounts, some drivers may allegedly show passengers a screenshot from an earlier ride displaying a higher fare and attempt to pass it off as the amount due for the current trip.

Such claims also suggest that drivers may avoid displaying the live booking details when passengers ask to verify the fare. However, these accounts are based on individual passenger experiences and do not establish that every fare discrepancy is a scam.

The incident highlights why passengers should first check the amount displayed in their own booking before agreeing to a different fare.

What passengers can do when the fare suddenly changes

The account advised passengers not to panic if a driver says that the fare shown on the app has changed.

Passengers can compare the amount on their own booking with what the driver is demanding and ask to see the current ride details on the driver’s app. They can also avoid immediately paying an amount that differs from the fare shown in their booking until the discrepancy is clarified.

Other passengers share different experiences

The post also prompted users to share their own experiences involving unexpected cab fares and payment disputes.

One user said they faced a similar situation in Gurugram, but later found that the difference was caused by an apparent app glitch. According to the user, the fare for a ride initially showed ₹120 when the pickup location was Cyberhub, but increased to Rs545 after the ride was accepted and the destination was reached. The user said the same Rs545 amount was visible on their own app.

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Another user described a different issue involving an Uber outstation booking. They said they had booked the cab two to three hours in advance, after which the driver called and refused to accept payment through Uber. The driver allegedly demanded cash and asked the passenger to cooperate. The passenger refused and said they were subsequently charged a Rs 200 cancellation fee.

The differing accounts show that an unexpected fare can have multiple explanations, including app-related discrepancies and disputes over payment methods. For passengers, checking the live booking information before paying remains an important step when the amount demanded does not match the fare displayed on their own app.

(Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content not verified by ET.com. Reader are advised to use their discretion.)