Key Points
- A woman in Bengaluru boarded a “fake” Ola cab at Kempegowda International Airport.
- The driver wasn’t assigned by the app and asked her to enter her destination in his personal app.
- The driver demanded extra fare and made an unscheduled stop for fuel.
- The woman called emergency services and avoided a potentially dangerous situation.
- The incident raises concerns over the safety of women using ride-hailing services at night.
Looma News
A woman shared a disturbing experience after getting into a “fake” Ola cab at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport. Nikita Malik posted about the incident on X, warning others about the dangers of unauthorized drivers pretending to be part of ride-hailing services like Ola. The event happened on the evening of November 8, around 10:30 pm, when Malik booked a cab from the airport’s official pickup zone.
Not long after, a driver approached her, saying he could take her to her destination, even though he wasn’t assigned by the Ola app. In her post, Malik explained how the driver’s behavior started to feel off, including not asking for the usual OTP for verification. Instead, he told her to manually enter her destination in his personal Maps app, claiming the Ola app wasn’t working. Malik grew more uneasy when the driver then demanded an extra fare, which she refused to pay.
The situation became even more concerning when the driver suggested transferring her to another vehicle for the same fare. Fearing for her safety, Malik insisted on returning to the airport, but the driver ignored her request and made an unscheduled stop at a petrol station, demanding an additional Rs 500 for fuel. At this point, Malik quietly contacted emergency services by dialing 112 and kept a family member updated on her whereabouts.
According to her complaint, the police responded quickly and helped resolve the situation. She also shared a picture of the handwritten complaint she filed against the driver. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about the safety of women using ride-hailing services, especially late at night, and emphasizes the need for more awareness and caution at busy places like airports.
