These people were scammed, threatened and sometimes even prevented from getting out until they were willing to pay absurd fare. Until the police put an end to the shady practices in April 2017 by arresting eight men. Four of them had to answer for the court at Schiphol on Tuesday. Only one, the alleged leader of the criminal taxi organization Tarik K., 36, showed up dressed in a snow-white Puma tracksuit that stretched around his voluminous stomach.
He was the one who picked up potential customers when they landed cold and led them to his accomplices. “This one can be fucked,” he appended them. Customers were referred to as a ‘coolie’, ‘bitch’ or ‘whore’, who was easy to ‘cut’, ‘sew’ or ‘ragging’. Scam slang, police say.
A Swede who wanted to go to the Campanile hotel in Amsterdam in February 2017 had to pay almost 600 euros for a ride that could cost no more than 64 euros. Tarik K., who had also got into the taxi, took 300 euros from the Swede’s wallet, fished his camera out of his backpack and forced the man to withdraw even more.
‘Not seen 600 euros’
“I just had a nice conversation with him. I have not done anything against his will”, Tarik K. defended himself. And: ,,I have not seen 600 euros.” He still knew that. He also appeared to suffer mainly from amnesia.
On January 25, a Japanese tourist had to pay 270 euros for a ride that costs a few tens at most. The taxi driver locked the doors and increased the price every minute the Japanese refused to cross the bridge. In the end, the man chose eggs for his money and paid 300 euros.
On February 14, a Chinese person was the victim. The taximeter read 20 euros for a ride to the Ibis hotel, but he had to pay 180. According to the meter, a passenger who was taken to the Novotel in The Hague in March 2017 should pay 120 euros, but after the driver pressed a button, the amount jumped to 395 euros. With a passenger who had to go to Hoofddorp, a taxi driver drove in circles for two hours because the man refused to give 150 euros.
Violence
A lady from India had to pay 250 euros for a ride to Amsterdam that should not cost more than 50 euros. When she wanted to pay with a 500 note, the price suddenly rose to 425 euros. When she protested, she was violently kicked out of the taxi. Violence was used more often. For example, the drivers shared a photo of a man with a bloody face in the chat group. “That customer from just now. He didn’t want to pay.”
In almost all cases Tarik K. also joined them. ,,I must have just had a break then,” he told the court. Chats between Tarik K. and the drivers reveal another reason. ,,You have to work two people with these kinds of people. Otherwise you cannot pull.”
On Tuesday he couldn’t remember what he meant by that. And also not with the text: ,,Rule in the group: we never drive on the meter. Always ‘rate 2’. We ram the customers.” Tarik K. shrugs: “It’s been five years, hasn’t it?”
Next Tuesday, the suspects will be told what punishments the public prosecutor has in store.