Istanbul hotel staff and taxi drivers scam tourists: ‘Negotiations take place in Telegram groups’ claims
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A scam set by hotel staff and taxi drivers targeting tourists in Istanbul was caught on a mobile phone camera.
Taxi drivers working in the Sultanahmet area have hit back at their colleagues who allegedly transported tourists from hotels by agreeing to double the taxi fare.
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Footage recorded by the taxi driver shows him picking up tourists from their hotels, escorting them to his car and shaking hands with hotel staff.
Hotel employees warned taxi drivers how much to charge tourists.
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The taxi driver, who was recording the footage, responded by heading over to his colleague after the tourist got into his car.
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Negotiable by telegram for passengers
According to the information obtained, negotiations for tourists are carried out through Telegram groups established among some hotel employees and taxi drivers, especially in the historic Sultanhammet area where hotels are densely concentrated.
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Hotel employees arrange for taxi drivers to transport tourists at exorbitant rates in exchange for a commission.