Cabby, tout who scammed and threatened American vlogger in Kolkata arrested

KOLKATA: Bidhannagar Police arrested the taxi driver and the tout who scammed and threatened a popular American vlogger during his trip to a Park Street hotel from Kolkata airport last week.

TOI wrote about the ordeal and shared the description and video posted by the vlogger, Dustin, with Bidhannagar cops, following which driver Alamgir Molla and tout Manoj Kumar Roy were arrested. They were booked under BNS sections dealing with extortion and criminal conspiracy.

"We lodged a suo motu complaint on Wednesday afternoon. We saw the video and were on the lookout for the offenders. While searching for the duo, we saw them back at airport again trying to scam another passenger.

We noticed their activities from a distance and then arrested them," said a senior officer of Bidhannagar City Police. After the arrest, Bidhannagar cops also made a short video featuring clips from Dustin's vlog wherein the tout, Manoj Kumar, was heard threatening him in Bengali to break his bones and throw him out of the car while demanding more money during the ride.

The video ends with images of the two holding identification booking slates against their chest after being arrested by the cops.

The video ends with a message from Bidhannagar Police and a helpline to call during such emergencies: "We Bidhannagar Police stand for the safety of passengers! Taxi touting is a punishable offence. Don't stay silent! If you encounter such a situation, report it immediately. Contact us at 9147889465."While Kumar (57) is a resident of Brahmapur off Garia, Molla (33) is from Sandeshkhali. "We have been circulating the video and posts across social media and other places to let everyone know about their behaviour, and we appeal to everyone to remember their faces and not to get in their taxis again.

Meanwhile, we will take necessary action against the duo and taxi drivers like them who harass guests and tarnish the name of the city," said the officer.Dustin, a YouTuber who was in Kolkata to explore the city, shared the ordeal on his channel, Meet Dustin, in a nine-minute video. Dustin narrated how the driver took him to a different hotel in New Town and later shifted him to another taxi in which he reached Park Street. He spent Rs 800 for the rides instead of the usual Rs 550. It took over 100 minutes for him to reach his hotel.