Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City have issued a nearly VND9 million (US$397) fine to a local taxi driver for operating without a license and overcharging passengers.

According to Vu Viet Ha, deputy chief inspector of the municipal Department of Transport, Tran Dinh Phuc, an unlicensed taxi driver operating a vehicle with license plate number 51A 383.35, has been slapped with a VND8.85 million fine ($390) for his violation.

Phuc had been picking up passengers in front of the Oncology Hospital in Binh Thanh District in a cab marked with a fake logo and hotline number for “Vantaitaxi."

Customers using Phuc’s service were charged unreasonably high fares under the explanation that his vehicle charged by the hour.

On Monday morning, traffic inspectors caught Phuc parking in a no-parking area on Truong Son Street in Tan Binh District. 

In response, Phuc threatened the inspectors with a paper knife. To further demonstrate his displeasure with the inspectors, the fake taxi driver also removed his shirt and trousers.

He was later escorted to the local police station, where an administrative penalty was imposed.

Phuc takes off his shirt and threatens a traffic inspector with a paper knife on September 4, 2017. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Officers at the station discovered that Phuc had been operating as a transport service without a permit for passenger transport and confiscated his car registration and driver's license.

They also suggested the People’s Committee in Tan Binh levy Phuc with an additional VND2.5 million ($110) fine for obstruction, threatening, and insulting law enforcers.

Following the incident, the transport department inspectorate announced that it will carry out extensive inspections in public areas, including hospitals, shopping malls, markets, schools, and bus stations, to prevent unlicensed passenger transport services from scamming locals and tourists.

Stern punishments will be imposed on similar violators as well as those who refuse to cooperate with police officers.

Residents can report unlicensed cab drivers to the municipal transport department via two hotlines: 028.8300.701 and 0913.880.906.

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