Organised taxi fraud targeted tourists in Paris

Four men have been charged with fraud and money laundering as part of a major taxi scam in Paris, with victims already filing for at least €680,000 in overpayments.

Conducted between December 2024 and January 2026, the scheme saw the men target tourists and charge them vast sums of money for short rides after altering payment details for card payments. 

The men targeted tourists by focusing on popular areas such as the Eiffel Tower, major train stations, or outside department stores, encouraging them to take their taxi.

They used eight separate vehicles kitted out with fake number plates and designed to look like taxis, although all were unlicenced.

During a raid on their homes, police discovered luxury goods, fake plates, tens of thousands of euros in cash and even a kalashnikov rifle.

The drivers face up to ten years in prison.

Final payment details altered

Using ‘SumUp’ terminals – portable devices for merchandisers and traders to accept card payments – the men altered final details to vastly overcharge passengers. 

A driver could increase a payment of €19 to €1,900, presenting the terminal to victims but hiding the final figure, media outlet Capital gave as an example. 

Figures were manipulated either by manually hiding the screen showing the sum (or only showing enough that passengers thought they were paying the original smaller fee) or using a damaged or broken terminal that did not show the final sum.

In many cases passengers did not realise they had been scammed until their account was debited several days later. 

Where passengers realised the attempted scam before paying, there are reports that drivers became violent and threatening.

One passenger was run over by a taxi driver after a dispute, leading to injuries that left him unable to work for 45 days, reported Capital.

Officers on the case tracked the scam via the high payments being processed through the terminals. 

How to avoid taxi scams 

While there are fixed rates between Paris’ two major airports and the city, for smaller journeys within the capital it can be hard to know if you are being overcharged. 

The most important thing to do is ensure you take a licenced taxi. 

Licenced taxis in the capital are recognisable by their distinctive ‘Taxi Parisien’ sign on top of the vehicle (lit either Green or red to show its availability). In other locations across France, they will have a regional variant or a simple ‘taxi’ sign on top of the vehicle.

Vehicles must also display their taxi licence number on the outside of the vehicle at the front-right and alongside the driver inside the vehicle, a meter inside.for calculating fares and, for Parisian taxies, a counter at the back of the vehicle showing their remaining workable hours.

If the vehicle does not have all of these, do not enter it. 

Taxis parked at official ranks should be fine as other drivers and officials ensure that only legitimate drivers use them. 

If someone comes up to you asking if you want a taxi, always say no – licenced drivers do not do this. 

One alternative is to use ride-hailing apps such as Uber or Bolt. These offer a fixed price for a journey that is only altered in the case of heavy traffic or unexpectedly long journey times (and can be disputed after leaving the vehicle via the company, if you feel the increase was unfair).

Information on trips taken is also stored on the app, allowing you to retain proof of travel, prices paid etc long after the journey is taken.