Fake look-alike cab and auto aggregator apps duping passengers in Bengaluru

A new scam targeting passengers using cab and auto aggregator apps has emerged in Bengaluru, with several commuters reporting that some autorickshaw and cab drivers are using fake mobile applications that mimic popular aggregator interfaces to overcharge unsuspecting passengers.

The passengers claim these counterfeit apps look identical to official interfaces of popular cab and auto aggregators, allowing drivers to manually alter fares and present inflated bills at the end of trips.

Punith K., a resident of Yelahanka, recounted his experience after booking an auto through a cab aggregator from Kempegowda International Airport Terminal 2 to Yelahanka. “The fare shown on my app was ₹700. Everything went as usual. I entered the OTP and the ride started normally. But at the end of the trip, the driver showed me a billing screen on his phone that displayed ₹950. It looked exactly like the aggregator app interface which I was using, but something seemed off,” he said.

Mr. Punith became suspicious when his own app continued to show that the ride was not yet completed. “When I insisted on checking, the driver hesitated. After pressing him, I realised he was using a fake app. It looked exactly like the app I was using, same design, same buttons but the fare could be edited manually,” he added.

Doctored screenshots

Another commuter, Abhilash P. from J.P. Nagar, had a similar experience a few days ago. “After completing my ride, the driver quickly showed me an inflated fare and tried to close the screen before I could verify it. I refused to pay more than what was displayed on my own app. He started shouting and tried to intimidate me, but I stood firm. Finally, he accepted the actual amount shown on the genuine app,” Mr. Abhilash said, adding that this seems to have become a trend now of fake apps that look exactly like the real ones.

I have no idea how they even get access to such apps, he said.

Commuters said that this was an evolution of an older scam, where drivers used to rely on doctored screenshots showing fake fare amounts. According to Ranjith Kumar, a passenger from Rajajinagar, the scam has now become more sophisticated.

“Earlier, they would show edited screenshots to trick passengers. Now they use these cloned apps. Recently, my driver switched to a fake cab aggregator interface right in front of me, which displayed a higher fare than what my phone showed. When I questioned him, he claimed my internet was slow. I toggled my data connection in front of him and waited. When he realised I wasn’t giving in, he finally switched back to the real app and ended the ride,” Mr. Ranjith said.

Some frequent travellers say that airport trips are the most common targets of such scams.

Neha Rao, a Jayanagar resident who frequently travels between the airport and her home, said that she was overcharged multiple times. “During my recent trip from Terminal 2 to Jayanagar, my fare was ₹1,105. The driver asked me to pay parking charges, which I agreed to. But when we reached my destination, he demanded ₹1,700, claiming that waiting and parking charges were ₹350. My app showed no such increase. When I asked to see his screen again, he refused and became aggressive. Since it was late at night, I paid to avoid a confrontation. This has happened to me more than once, especially during night trips,” Ms. Neha added.

Common on longer routes and airport rides

The complaints suggest that these scams are increasingly common on longer routes and airport rides, where higher fares and night-time conditions make it easier for drivers to exploit passengers. However, the Auto Rickshaw Drivers’ Union (ARDU) claims to have no knowledge of such practices.

T.M. Rudramurthy, general secretary of ARDU, said, “We are not aware of these scams. If such incidents are happening, they are being carried out by a few individuals who do not follow ethical practices. We condemn such behaviour.”

Efforts to seek comments from aggregator companies went unanswered. Similarly, the Karnataka App-Based Workers’ Union (KAWU) did not respond to queries regarding the prevalence of fake apps and potential misuse by drivers.

A senior official from the Transport Department said no formal complaints had been received so far but assured that the department would act if evidence was provided. “We have not received specific complaints about such fake aggregator apps. If passengers file complaints, we will investigate and take appropriate action,” the official said.