The British travel insurance company “AllClear” placed Morocco eighth globally due to the fraud faced by “tourists” from taxis, noting over 1,300 complaints and experiences.
The company analyzed over 450 posts and 30,000 comments on the Reddit platform (Reddit) to reveal the countries that top the list of taxi fraud complaints and the most common scams.
Turkey in the Lead
The results showed that Turkey ranks first by a wide margin (4,224 comments), followed by India (2,301), then Thailand, Vietnam, and Egypt in the top five. Even developed countries were not spared, with the United States in ninth place, Canada tenth, and Australia sixth.
The complete ranking of the top 15 countries mentioned in taxi fraud complaints on Reddit:
- Turkey – 4,224 comments
- India – 2,301 comments
- Thailand – 2,169 comments
- Vietnam – 1,741 comments
- Egypt – 1,715 comments
- Australia – 1,598 comments
- Mexico – 1,367 comments
- Morocco – 1,329 comments
- United States – 1,283 comments
- Canada – 995 comments
- France – 957 comments
- Colombia – 924 comments
- Philippines – 840 comments
- Italy – 832 comments
- Norway – 799 comments
Airports… The Hub of Fraud
Nearly one-third of the analyzed posts had titles containing the word “airport.” In the arrival area, tourists become tired, hurried, and unfamiliar with local prices, which are ideal conditions for fraud.
The Most Common 5 Taxi Scams to Beware of Abroad:
- Not Starting the Meter
The driver offers a very high price from the start or claims that the meter is “broken.” Solution: Request to start the meter immediately or agree on a fixed price before entering the vehicle, and use apps like Google Maps to calculate the distance and approximate fare. - Holding Luggage to Force Quick Payment
The driver places your bags in the trunk before you agree on the price to put you in a weak position. Solution: Keep your hand on the bag until the price is agreed upon or the meter is running. - Cash Payment
A classic trick to force you to pay cash at a higher price or “round” the amount because they have no “change.” If the driver insists on cash only, request an official receipt, and if they refuse, leave the car. - Taking Longer Routes and Delaying
The most frequently mentioned trick on Reddit. The driver takes a longer route or goes in circles to increase the fare. Solution: Track the trip on Google Maps or any GPS app, and if you notice an unjustified detour, politely ask: “Is this the shortest route?”. - Unofficial Taxis at Airports
People offer to “cut the line” or transport you “faster” at a much higher price. Solution: Research the official location of the taxi station or Uber/ODR pickup area at the airport beforehand, and completely ignore anyone approaching you inside the arrival hall.
Golden Tip from the Study
Letitia Smith, Head of Communications at AllClear, said: “Taxi fraud happens almost everywhere, especially if the tourist seems unfamiliar with local prices. Always make sure to know the approximate price or fixed fare before getting into the car, and if you experience fraud, report it to the relevant authorities, and ensure that your travel insurance covers such cases.”
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