TAXI-CAB FRAUD WARNING 24-705576
WARNING TO PUBLIC RE: TAXI-CAB FRAUD
Remain vigilant while using debit cards
LONDON, ON (October 3, 2024) – Members of the London Police Service Financial Crime Unit are warning the public to be vigilant while using debit cards after a string of taxi-cab frauds were recently reported.
A number of victims have reported being approached in locations throughout the city by a suspect asking for assistance in paying for a taxi.
In each of the reported cases, a suspect approached the victim after exiting, or in the proximity of, a vehicle purported to be a taxi, and initiated a ruse which plays out as follows:
- The suspect advises the victim that the driver will not accept cash
- The suspect asks the victim for assistance paying for the taxi fare, promising to repay the victim in cash, and a quantity of cash is displayed to the victim
- The victim is provided a debit machine and pays the fare using their debit card
- The suspect reimburses the victim in cash
- The driver provides a receipt and a debit card to the victim
In each reported case, the victim later learned that a large sum of money had been removed from their bank account and that the debit card returned to them was not theirs, but a similar debit card from the same financial institution.
The London Police Service is encouraging citizens to remain vigilant with respect to security of financial documents and access to electronic financial services. Be especially cautious when approached by strangers who ask to make an unsolicited debit card transaction and, when in doubt, refuse. 
A photo of at least one suspect vehicle has been attached to the LPS website, however, investigators advise that the vehicle descriptions differ in multiple investigations, and it is the type of fraud that you should be vigilant of, not only the involved vehicle.
Members of the London Police Service Financial Crime Unit are interested in speaking with anyone who may have information related to this string of frauds.
Anyone with information in relation to this incident is asked to call the London Police Service at (519) 661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Information can also be sent in online anonymously to London Middlesex Crime Stoppers.
For media inquiries, contact:
Sgt. Sandasha Bough
Media Relations Officer
C. 519-854-8576
Email. Media Officer
24-705576