The 53 Division Fraud Unit would like to make the public aware of a TAXI SCAM taking place within our Communities.

Please read this bulletin regarding recent taxi scams. The suspects are active in areas of Yonge and Eglinton and Mt Pleasant and Eglinton.

These young south Asian suspects are using Covid-19 as an excuse to scam the victims. One suspect stands on the sidewalk and the other suspect remains in the driver seat of the fake taxi. The suspect on the sidewalk stops the victim, saying that the driver does not accept cash and asks for help. The victim is provided cash, then asked to use their debit card to pay for the taxi fare in exchange.

The victim gives his/her card to the driver to make the payment and enters his/her pin code to the fake machine. The driver then swaps the bank card with a similar card and the victims walks away.

Later, the suspects use the stolen debit card to empty the victim’s bank account in less than 24 hours.

If you have been a victim of this scam, or have information about the suspects, please report it to Police or Crime Stoppers.

TPS Call 416-808-2222 Crime Stoppers Call 1-800-222-TIPS

If you have questions, please contact PC Timothy Somers, 53 Division Community Safety Officer by calling 416-808-5337.