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A scheme used by rogue Kenyan drivers working for taxi-hailing service, Uber to overcharge riders has been exposed. The drivers have allegedly been using dummy apps to extend the distance travelled by the customers in a bid to charge them increased fees.
The dummy apps allows the drivers to interfere with the Uber application’s location (GPS) readings, thus creating a parallel travel path that prolongs the journey. Consequently, the drivers are able to over-bill the unsuspecting riders and earn extra cash for themselves.
Some of the Uber drivers are prolonging the distance traveled by more than three times and charge customers fees that are exaggerated by similar margins.
One passenger told Business Daily that he used a taxi from Riverside drive in Nairobi to the central business district, a distance of about five kilometers, but paid for 42 kilometers, parting with Sh2,456 instead of around Sh580.
However, Uber refunded him the Sh1,800 that the driver had overcharged him when he filed a complaint with the company. Another customer was billed Sh1,900 for a distance of 17.6 kilometres instead of the actual 4 kilometres after boarding an Uber taxi near the Chiromo roundabout on Ngong Road. He was also refunded after filing a complaint.
The firm admitted it had knowledge of the ongoing fraud and promised to take necessary actions on the rogue drivers.
“Uber is aware of these incidents. They are in clear violation of our Community Guidelines. Fraudulent activity undermines the trust on which Uber is built. That’s why we are constantly on the lookout for fraud by riders and driver-partners who are gaming our systems,” said Uber East Africa spokesperson Janet Kemboi.
“Uber encourages both riders and driver-partners to rate their journey at the end of the trip. Honest feedback helps ensure that everyone is accountable for their behaviour,” said Ms Kemboi.
Comments
Many Uber drivers in Nairobi are very dishonest, just like most Kenyans. I had multiple issues when paying in cash or MPesa. At the end of the trip whenever I asked the driver how much, they would inflate the price. I’d get a receipt later via email that had a different lower price. After several complaints and refunds from the company, they refused to refund anymore because they now thought I was the one defrauding them.
My advise is please confirm the amount at the end of the trip by looking at the driver’s phone App.
I can also confirm that other than drivers having navigation issues, I had no trouble on a recent visit when I mostly used Uber chapchap.
This is rare occurrence I love UBER chap chap. These Guys are good. Just engage them when they show up for your ride. They will serve you and tell you how thy appreciate UBER for financing their business 100%
Who can do that these days. This will be serious business guys 10 years from now. KEEP doing what you are doing UBER just root out the bad guys.
The Taxify app is now involved in this fraud business. I guess the only safe app now is Little cab.
There's someting very wrong with Uber...I stopped taking them after a month of trying them.... even their drivers seem to have an attitude that I don't get from other taxi drivers...leave alone the overcharging which was obvious.
I wish every Kenyan would agree we grow our own...kina small cab...though ni muindi....Can't win but better off....