By Lindsay Tigar
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — A morning taxi ride for a New York University doctor to his home on Park Avenue saved riders thousands of dollars and brought down a two-year $8.3 million taxi scam.
Dr. Mitchell Lee’s cab fare from NYU Medical Center to his home normally came to $5, and when the meter rang up at $7, Lee questioned his cabdriver, the New York Post reported.
“It was obvious when the meter was going fast, “ Lee told the Post. “I asked the driver why the meter was going faster than normal, if there was a breakage.”
Wasim Khalid Cheema, Lee’s taxi driver, is believed to be among the worst in the Taxi and Limousine Commission investigation that’s uncovered nearly 40,000 drivers who have been scamming customers, the Post reported.
Lee remained adamant with Cheema about the fare, and while Cheema agreed to allow Lee to pay his usual fare, Lee paid the full amount with his credit card, according to the Post.
Lee then lodged an online complaint with the TLC, launching their investigation of thousands of scamming drivers.
Through the use of electronic GPS data, TLC analyzed information from a 26-month period, DNAinfo reported Tuesday. Their findings estimated the scam cost riders $8.3 million over the last two years.
Officials said Cheema swindled 574 passengers in one month, by changing his meter to Rate 4; the code applied to rides in Nassau and Westchester counties, according to the Post.
Cheema’s license was revoked Feb. 24.
TLC officials plan to provide an electronic alert that will appear in the backseat monitor if the cabdriver activates the meter’s out-of-city rate, according to DNAinfo. Passengers will then be able to push the screen to acknowledge the change or else it won’t go through, TLC Commissioner Matthew Daus said in the Post.
In the meantime, the city plans to try to reimburse the victims of the scam, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Monday.
Unfortunately, refunds will probably be limited to riders who were scammed in the last month and paid with credit cards, because charges can only legally be kept for 30 days, DNAinfo reported Tuesday.
Cabdrivers involved in the scam could possibly face criminal charges.
