Bengaluru: A Bengaluru-based woman has cautioned commuters to remain alert after she alleged that a Rapido cab driver used a fake version of the app to inflate her fare. The incident, shared by Meenal Goel on LinkedIn and Instagram, has since gone viral, raising concerns over fraudulent ride-hailing practices in the city.

Passenger shares her ordeal online

Goel recounted the incident in a detailed post, writing, “New Rapido scam! So here’s what happened with us recently. We booked a Rapido cab from Bangalore Airport to our home. The app showed a fare of ₹532.”

According to her, the journey went smoothly until the end, when the driver demanded ₹650, claiming that the fare shown on his app was higher than what appeared on Goel’s phone. “When we reached our destination, the driver said his app showed ₹650 and insisted that we pay immediately because he had another ride waiting,” she wrote.

Goel said she grew suspicious when she noticed the discrepancy and asked to see the driver’s app. “We were confused because our Rapido app still showed ₹532. We asked him to show his app, and surprisingly, it looked exactly like Rapido – same interface, same colours – except it showed ₹650 instead of ₹532. After a small argument, we asked to check his phone closely,” she wrote.

Fake app mimicked Rapido’s interface

Goel said that upon closer inspection, it became clear that the driver was using a counterfeit app designed to look identical to Rapido’s official interface. “Turns out, he wasn’t using Rapido at all. Once we pointed it out, he panicked and admitted that he’d been using this fake app,” she alleged.

The most alarming part, she said, was that the ride never appeared on her official Rapido account, making it impossible to raise a complaint or request a refund. “Now, the scary part – because the real Rapido app doesn’t show any such transaction, you can’t even raise a complaint or refund request,” she added.

Rapido responds, suspends driver

Following her viral post, Rapido issued a formal statement acknowledging the complaint and confirming that it had taken disciplinary action against the driver.

“Hi Meenal, we completely understand your concern, and we sincerely apologise for the unpleasant experience you had. Such practices are absolutely unacceptable, and we take incidents like this very seriously,” Rapido said in a statement.

The company further clarified that it had investigated the case and suspended the captain’s account. “Following our recent call, we have thoroughly investigated the matter and taken the necessary action by suspending the captain’s account to prevent similar issues in the future. Your safety and trust in our services are of utmost importance to us,” the statement read.

Growing concerns over fake ride apps

The incident has sparked discussion on social media about the growing prevalence of counterfeit ride-hailing apps in India. Cybersecurity experts have warned that scammers often create fake versions of popular apps like Rapido, Ola, or Uber to trick passengers into overpaying or sharing personal data.

“Fraudsters are becoming increasingly sophisticated. They can easily clone legitimate apps to deceive users. People should verify driver details and fares on their own devices before confirming payments,” said a Bengaluru-based cybersecurity consultant.

Commuter safety and vigilance urged

Goel concluded her post by urging fellow commuters to double-check the driver’s app before paying. “Beware: Always double-check the app on the driver’s phone before paying, especially if they say the fare is different. Has anyone else faced something similar?” she asked.

Her warning has been widely shared, with many social media users recounting similar experiences involving fake or modified ride-hailing apps in major Indian cities.

Authorities have also been urged to take action against such fraudulent operators and strengthen digital verification processes for ride-hailing services.

Rapido’s next steps

Rapido has assured customers that it is working to enhance security and verification measures within its platform. “We are committed to ensuring that such incidents do not happen again. Our teams are continuously monitoring and updating our systems to detect any fraudulent activity,” the company said.

The company also urged users to report any suspicious activity directly through its in-app help section or customer care line.

Conclusion

The incident underscores the growing challenge of digital fraud in India’s urban transport sector, where millions rely on ride-hailing apps for daily commutes. As fake apps continue to proliferate, experts stress that both companies and passengers must remain vigilant to prevent exploitation and ensure safer, more transparent travel experiences.