Police suspect fake taxi driver defrauding customers
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 21, 2007 | 1:12 PM ET
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Toronto police suspect a man posing as a taxi driver has been defrauding people through a debit and credit card scam.
The victims have had money removed from their bank accounts after taking a taxi.
Toronto police are asking for the public's help in identifying this man.
(Toronto Police)
Police allege that in recent weeks the suspect has stolen thousands of dollars, usually after picking up late-night fares in the entertainment district.
The victims "are giving our suspect, the cab driver, their debit card or Visa card. He's pretending to process it, which in fact it is not being processed," said Det. Michael Kiproff of the fraud squad.
Kiproff said the cards are put through a modified PIN pad, which records the card number and PIN.
The defrauded customers have been handed back a different card, or even a blank card, instead of their own.
After the customer gets out of the taxi, police said, the suspect raids their bank accounts.
It's usually the next morning before people realize what's happened.
Kiproff said there have been "30 to 40 victims" of the scam so far.
Police said it is possible the suspect is operating a fake cab made up to look like a licensed Toronto taxi.
On Wednesday police released a photo of the suspect, which was taken with a cellphone by a late-night passenger.
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