After police cracked down on the illegal acts of taxies and call-vans, 139 cases were reported and 19 drivers were arrested and face criminal charges. (image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Sept. 24 (Korea Bizwire) -Taxies and call-vans that rip off foreign tourists or issue fake receipts are increasingly being caught.
After police cracked down on the illegal acts of taxies and call-vans, 139 cases were reported and 19 drivers were arrested and face criminal charges. The others will face administrative penalties from local governments.
The drivers who were arrested charged tourists more than the usual fees between Incheon Airport and areas in Seoul, Gyeonggi and Incheon.
Taxi driver Ahn(43) was arrested for taking — knowingly — 400,000 won in 50,000 won bills from a Chinese tourist who was not used to using Korean currency, even though the fee was only 68,000 won.
Another taxi driver, Yang(55), asked for a fee three times higher than usual to a Taiwanese visitor.
In addition, the police cracked down on unlicensed tour guides and illegal guest houses, with 82 casesbeing reported.
The police are planning intensive operationson major tourist sites in Seoul, Busan, Incheon and Jeju until October 31.
By Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
