Two men face charges in relation to an alleged fake taxi scam that targeted unsuspecting Good Samaritans in the Lower Mainland, including SFU Burnaby students.
In December, police put out a news release warning people about a black Hyundai Elantra with a taxi sign on the roof that approached several people at SFU.
The suspects told the victims a "passenger" couldn't pay their cab fare and asked for help to cover the amount, according to the release.
"When the victims agreed to help and handed over their debit or credit cards to pay the stranger's fare, their cards were covertly swapped out by the vehicle's occupants," the release said. "In some cases, fraudulent purchases and withdrawals were then made on the victims' real cards."
On Dec. 6, 2024, just before 9 p.m., Metro Vancouver Transit Police officers near the Surrey Central SkyTrain station spotted a black Hyundai Elantra and watched as a passenger got out of the vehicle and placed a yellow taxi sign on the roof, according to a transit police news release Thursday.
When officers tried to stop the vehicle, however, the driver of the Hyundai rammed their unmarked police vehicle, the release said.
Both the driver and passenger were eventually arrested with help from Surrey Police Service and Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) officers, according to the release.
Police said items seized from the fake taxi included 29 debit cards, a debit card payment machine and a magnetic taxi sign.
Transit police has now recommended charges against two Ontario men.
They have been released from custody pending charge approval.
"While we are grateful to have made arrests in this case, we caution the public to never let their credit card out of their sight if they choose to help a stranger who appears to be in financial need," Transit Police Const. Amanda Steed said in the latest release. "Members of the public are being asked to familiarize themselves with the details of this alleged operation and remain vigilant when it comes to handing over their bank cards."
Anyone with information about the fake taxi scam is asked to contact transit police by phone at 604-515-8300 or by text at 87.77.77.
Follow Cornelia Naylor on X/Twitter @CorNaylor
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