Call van driver caught ripping off Australian traveler

By Kang Aa-young, Park Si-soo

A Korean call van driver was caught overcharging foreign passengers, police said Wednesday.

The driver is suspected of charging an Australian passenger 1.37 million won ($1,264) after taking him to Gangnam from Incheon International Airport. It was more than 10 times the average fare for the distance.

The passenger realized he was duped after he found a difference in the charged price between his electronic payment record and a paper receipt he was given when leaving the vehicle -- 130,000 won was printed on the receipt but 1.37 million won was deducted from his bank account.

Police said the driver seems to have explored a loophole that data on domestic use of credit cards issued overseas is delivered to holders slowly.

“We will continue to crack down on such an overcharging practice to make sure that foreign travelers can enjoy their time in Korea without any worries or concerns,” an official said.