假冒出租车骗局

[红红枫叶]

Taxi scam returns to Ottawa, warning​

(Monika Gul, CityNews Photo)

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By Natasha O'Neill
Posted Mar 18, 2026 11:42:26 AM.

Last Updated Mar 18, 2026 11:42:38 AM.
Over a year ago, Ottawa police were consistently warning the public about a new type of scam in the nation’s capital involving taxis.

And for a while, it appeared the messaging worked; however, officers are saying the scam has returned.






In a press release on March 17, police said that the card skimming fraud with fake taxis has returned to the city, and it’s possible the incidents are linked with other reports in more jurisdictions.

In the fraud, a person pretends to be a taxi driver, and when passengers are in the cab, the bad actor requests for payments by debit or credit card. However, during the transaction, the suspect sees and records the victim’s PIN and then switches the victim’s bank card with a fraudulent one.

The stolen card is later used to purchase items or make withdrawals.

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“The scam often involves an accomplice posing as a passenger,” the release reads. “The accomplice approaches passersby and asks for assistance paying for a taxi ride, claiming that the driver does not accept cash and that their payment card is not working.”

The person will offer cash to the victim for helping.


Officers believe suspects might be using a dark-coloured Mazda sedan, or a white Kia sedan. To people, it could look like a real taxi, including an orange taxi sign on the roof.

The first suspect is described as a Middle Eastern man with short dark hair and a well-trimmed beard. The other is also a Middle Eastern man. He has a light complexion, shoulder-length hair, no facial hair and is about 5’9″ with a slim build. He was last seen wearing a black coat with a fur-trimmed hood.

Tips from Ottawa police when using taxi services:​

• Only use licensed taxis or reputable ride services
• Ensure the vehicle has proper identification and markings
• Do not allow anyone else to handle your bank card
• Shield your PIN when entering it into a payment terminal
• If possible, use cash or a trusted app-based payment method
• Cash is always an acceptable payment option for taxis

People are asked to contact their financial institution if they believe they have been a victim of this fraud, along with reporting the incident to police.

 

[红红枫叶]

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