'Almost Got Raped...': Bengaluru Woman Escapes Extortion Attempt By Fake Cab Driver At Kempegowda Airport

Bengaluru: In a harrowing experience at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru, a woman narrowly avoided a potentially dangerous situation after boarding a cab on Friday night. The incident unfolded around 10:30 pm when she was allegedly targeted by a fake Ola cab driver who tried to extort money from her, leading her to seek immediate police assistance.

A Terrifying Cab RideThe woman, who had just arrived at the airport, proceeded to the designated Ola pickup zone, trusting the area to be a secure spot for hiring a cab. However, her sense of safety was shattered when a driver, operating a sedan instead of the requested 'mini' cab, approached her and offered a ride. Initially, she agreed to the trip but soon grew suspicious when the driver failed to ask for the usual OTP and did not use the official Ola app. Take A Look At The Post:

almost got trafficked/raped/looted/assaulted by a random cab driver who was let in by @BLRAirport in the Ola pickup station & impersonated to be one at terminal 1 of BLR airport at 10:30pm
had I not called 112, I’d not be here typing this pic.twitter.com/QpFdlRJFjF

— Dr. N (@doctorniikii) November 9, 2024

Instead, the driver insisted on entering her destination in his personal Maps app, citing issues with his Ola app. Despite these red flags, she chose to continue with the ride. Matters quickly escalated when the driver demanded extra money beyond the app’s fare. Upon her refusal, he suggested that another vehicle, an Ethios car, would take her home for the original price. Desperate Plea for HelpFeeling increasingly unsafe, the woman requested to be taken back to the Ola pickup point. However, her pleas were ignored as the driver continued driving, eventually stopping at a petrol station where he demanded Rs 500 for fuel. At this critical moment, she swiftly called 112, the emergency police helpline, while staying on the phone with a male friend for additional support.Recounting the distressing experience on social media platform 'X', she wrote, “Almost got trafficked/raped/looted/assaulted by a random cab driver who was let in by @BLRAirport in the Ola pickup station & impersonated to be one at terminal 1 of BLR airport at 10:30 pm had I not called 112, I’d not be here typing this.” Police Action and Social Media OutcryBengaluru police responded promptly, arriving at the Ola pickup zone within 20 minutes and detaining the impersonating driver. The woman expressed relief at the quick police response, stating, “Maybe he did all this only for extra bucks, maybe he had worse intentions, maybe he was intoxicated, I DO NOT KNOW. I was lucky enough to escape the worst around 11 pm in the middle of nowhere; being on call with a male friend, helped me to call 112 asap & I acted swiftly.”Her social media post has since garnered significant attention, accumulating over 1.6 million views and 13,000 likes. Many users expressed shock and concern over the incident, with one commenting, “This is so scary, I'm getting goosebumps while reading your complaint letter.” Airport Security Under ScrutinyThe incident has sparked questions about the safety of transport services at Bengaluru’s airport, especially at the official cab pickup zones. Despite the growing concerns, airport authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the matter. Meanwhile, Ola has yet to share a statement on this matter.