Mumbai’s Sahar police have arrested 50-year-old taxi driver Deshraj Yadav for allegedly cheating a US national of ₹18,000 (approximately $200) for a taxi ride of barely 400 metres from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to a five-star hotel in Andheri (East) on January 12.
The case came to light after the woman, Argentina Ariano, shared her experience on X (formerly Twitter) on January 26, naming the taxi and describing how she was driven around for nearly 20 minutes before being dropped near her hotel.
Her post garnered over 1.15 lakh views, prompting Sahar police to register a suo-motu FIR on January 27 and arrest Yadav within three hours based on the cab’s registration number. Police have seized the vehicle, initiated the process to cancel the driver’s licence, and launched a search for an alleged accomplice. Authorities are also attempting to record the victim’s statement, as she has since returned to the United States.
Viral Social Media Post Leads To Swift Arrest
According to police officials, the woman had arrived in Mumbai from the United States on January 12 and hired a taxi from the airport to reach a nearby Hilton hotel. Instead of taking the direct route, the driver allegedly took her on a prolonged detour around Andheri (East) for nearly 20 minutes before returning to the same area and dropping her close to her destination. She was then allegedly charged ₹18,000 for the ride.
In her viral post on X, Ariano wrote, “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 (₹18,000), and then dropped us at the hotel which was only 400m away.” The post included the taxi’s registration number, MH 01 BD 5405, which proved crucial for the investigation.
The Sahar police registered a suo-motu FIR on January 27 after the post gained traction online, even though the victim had not directly approached the police. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone VIII) Maneesh Kalwaniya supervised the probe, led by senior inspector Manoj Chalke. Police tracked the vehicle, arrested Yadav within hours, and placed him in custody.
“We are trying to obtain the victim’s statement. She did not inform the hotel staff at the time and had already left the country,” Chalke said, adding that authorities are exploring the possibility of recording her statement electronically.
Police confirmed that Yadav’s cab has been seized and that action has been initiated with the Regional Transport Office (RTO) to cancel his driving licence. A second suspect, believed to be involved in the crime, is currently absconding.
A Pattern Of Tourist Exploitation Near Mumbai Airport
The incident has once again drawn attention to a troubling pattern of overcharging and deception involving taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers operating around Mumbai’s international airport.
In December 2024, Sahar police arrested a taxi driver for allegedly charging an Australian NRI businessman ₹2,800 for a 10-minute journey from the airport to a hotel in Vile Parle. In another case the same month, an auto-rickshaw driver was arrested for robbing ₹3,500 from a 19-year-old US-based chemical engineering student, despite the meter showing a fare of just ₹106.
Experts argue that such incidents persist due to inadequate enforcement and lack of visible support systems for tourists. IPS officer-turned-lawyer YP Singh said that complaint mechanisms must be made more user-friendly and accessible.
“Telephone numbers for complaints should be permanently displayed inside and outside every taxi. In serious cases, FIRs should be registered for cheating and extortion. In less serious cases, permits must be cancelled,” Singh said, adding that touts often operate in collusion with others on the ground.
Social activist Mohammed Afzal echoed similar concerns, stating that the problem has continued for decades despite Mumbai’s global status. He stressed the need for stringent laws and regular monitoring to ensure tourists are not exploited.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
While the swift police response in this case is commendable, the larger issue lies in prevention rather than reaction. For a city that prides itself on being India’s financial and international gateway, repeated incidents of tourist exploitation point to systemic gaps that go beyond individual wrongdoing.
A lack of clearly marked help desks, insufficient signage, weak grievance redressal mechanisms, and inconsistent enforcement create an environment where such misconduct can thrive. Protecting visitors is not only a matter of law and order but also of upholding dignity, trust, and India’s reputation as a welcoming destination.
