A scheme used by rogue Kenyan drivers working for taxi-hailing service, Uber to overcharge riders has been exposed. The drivers have allegedly been using dummy apps to extend the distance travelled by the customers in a bid to charge them increased fees.

The dummy apps allows the drivers to interfere with the Uber application’s location (GPS) readings, thus creating a parallel travel path that prolongs the journey. Consequently, the drivers are able to over-bill the unsuspecting riders and earn extra cash for themselves.

Some of the Uber drivers are prolonging the distance traveled by more than three times and charge customers fees that are exaggerated by similar margins.

One passenger told Business Daily that he used a taxi from Riverside drive in Nairobi to the central business district, a distance of about five kilometers, but paid for 42 kilometers, parting with Sh2,456 instead of around Sh580.

However, Uber refunded him the Sh1,800 that the driver had overcharged him when he filed a complaint with the company. Another customer was billed Sh1,900 for a distance of 17.6 kilometres instead of the actual 4 kilometres after boarding an Uber taxi near the Chiromo roundabout on Ngong Road. He was also refunded after filing a complaint. 

The firm admitted it had knowledge of the ongoing fraud and promised to take necessary actions on the rogue drivers.

“Uber is aware of these incidents. They are in clear violation of our Community Guidelines. Fraudulent activity undermines the trust on which Uber is built. That’s why we are constantly on the lookout for fraud by riders and driver-partners who are gaming our systems,” said Uber East Africa spokesperson Janet Kemboi.

“Uber encourages both riders and driver-partners to rate their journey at the end of the trip. Honest feedback helps ensure that everyone is accountable for their behaviour,” said Ms Kemboi.