[ad_1]
A fictitious taxi driver who charged € 247 for a 27 km trip to Paris was sentenced to eight months in prison.
The victims were a Thai couple who had just arrived at Charles de Gaulle airport and was heading to the city center. The price of such a trip would normally be set at a flat rate of 50 to 55 euros.
The driver, named only Enock C, claimed to work for the private chauffeur company Chauffeur Privé.
When the 25-year-old vehicle passengers challenged the fare, he showed them a MOT certificate, claiming it was his taxi license. He also claimed that an app on his phone – which showed a charge of 247 € – was a taximeter.
One of the victims, Charkrid Thanhachartyothin, was filmed from the back seat – see the video above – while their fake taxi driver drove into Paris, refusing to let them out until they paid. Finally, the couple gave 200 Haitians to go out and get their luggage in the trunk.
Through video recording, the police were able to trace the driver via his registration plate, which was printed on the certificate of the MOT. He was arrested and charged with extorting violence or threats, as well as illegally practicing the taxi driver profession.
Enock C asserted in his defense that he had not realized that the price of 247 € was unreasonable because it was "the application that decides" the price. He also denied refusing to let the couple get off the car, despite the apparent video evidence to the contrary.
Found guilty, he was sentenced to one year in prison, four of which must be suspended. He was also fined € 400 for driving without the required insurance and he was confiscated two vehicles.
The victims received 250 euros in damages.
The French Federation of Taxis (FNDT) also claims 247 euros in damages in a civil case, saying the conduct of Enock C was damaging the reputation of the taxi driver profession.
