By Coconuts Hong Kong November 19, 2015 / 15:23 HKT
A female tourist travelling alone was allegedly subjected to the intimidation and extortion tactics of an unlicensed taxi driver on Monday.
According to Ming Pao, the 39-year-old Tanzanian woman boarded the seven-seater taxi at Hong Kong International Airport after agreeing on a set price of HKD300.
However, as the car approached its destination (a hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui), the driver apparently demanded his passenger pay HKD2,880 – over eight times the agreed upon price.
The passenger said she only had American currency on her, so the driver brought her to a bureau de change to exchange her USD500 for HKD3,800.
Upon reaching her destination, the victim reportedly agreed to fork out HKD3,100, but the driver apparently locked her into the car, climbed into the back seat, and intimidated her into giving up her remaining HKD700.
Once the woman was finally allowed to leave the car, she told members of staff at her hotel of the ordeal, and they helped her report the incident to local police.
The alleged culprit, a 67-year-old man surnamed Tong, was arrested at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday evening. Ming Pao reported that the man is suspected to have a triad background and, at the very least, a criminal record.
Tong was arrested on three charges: robbery, driving for profit without a licence, and driving without third party insurance. The suspect was detained overnight. Apart from the car, the police also reportedly seized a taxi price list, an Octopus card and a receipt book as evidence.
Photo: Ming Pao/Oriental Daily
http://hongkong.coconuts.co/2015/11/19/unlicensed-taxi-driver-locks-female-tourist-car-extorts-hkd3800
