Andheri to Bandra auto ride costs Haryana man Rs 90,518!

When they reached Bandra, the auto driver demanded R1500 instead of charging by the meter. Representation pic

The Bandra police have registered an FIR after a nearsighted 30-year-old man was duped of Rs 90,518 by the autorickshaw driver who ferried him from Andheri to Bandra on April 10. As he had left his spectacles in a restaurant, the complainant had handed his mobile phone to the auto driver to make the transaction.

The complainant, who hails from Haryana, resides in Bandra West.

Upon reaching Bandra, the auto driver demanded Rs 1500, refusing to go by the meter. The complainant argued initially, but eventually agreed to pay the amount.

Due to his poor vision, he handed over his mobile phone to the auto driver so the latter could access the Google Pay app, and even provided his password to facilitate the payment.

According to the Bandra police, the auto driver - taking advantage of the situation - fraudulently transferred Rs 90,518 to one Mohammed Furkan Shaikh. The funds were then transferred by Shaikh to three or four bank accounts and withdrawn. The cops have booked Shaikh, whom they suspect to be the auto driver himself.

How events unfolded

A police officer told mid-day that the incident occurred after the complainant went to a restaurant in Andheri with friends around 12.30 am. Around 5.45 am, he hailed an autorickshaw outside the eatery to return home.

The officer added, "During the journey, the auto driver took a longer route, leading to an argument. When they reached Bandra, the auto driver demanded Rs 1500 instead of charging by the meter. The complainant first decided to pay R500, but the driver refused to accept this and started arguing."

"To end the matter, the complainant agreed to pay the larger amount, handing his phone to the driver, who subsequently made the transaction and returned the device. He then went home and slept. Around 11 am, when he woke up, he checked his phone, only to discover that the auto driver had transferred Rs 90,518," the officer stated.

The complainant immediately notified his bank and filed a complaint. The bank responded that the money had been transferred to multiple accounts and withdrawn.

After the incident, the Haryana resident travelled to Chandigarh for work. Upon returning to Mumbai on Thursday, May 22, he registered an FIR, a copy of which is in mid-day's possession, at the Bandra police station.

A police officer said, "We have confirmed that the money was transferred from the complainant's account to Shaikh, who in turn transferred it to multiple accounts. We are working with the bank to obtain details and are tracing the autorickshaw. CCTV footage along the route is also being examined. We are taking the help of the cyber team to zero in on the accused."

PSI Kapil Shirsat of Bandra police station, who is the investigating officer in the case, said, "We have registered an FIR against the suspected auto driver, Mohammed Furkan Shaikh. We will take action very soon."

May 22
Day FIR was registered

Apr 10
Day incident occurred