Taxi Passenger Awareness

Do you often take a taxi?
Do you often take a taxi after office hours or at night?
Do you often take a taxi alone?
Do you allow the taxi driver to take another passenger along with you?

I just read through an e-mail from my sister. It's about a female victim who takes boarded a taxi from a LRT station to home in town. On the middle of the road, the taxi driver take a stopped to pick up another passenger (male) who seemed to be going off the same direction. The victim didn't suspect anything as they looked genuine, and he was going her direction and she was in a hurry.

But when she asked the taxi driver to turn into the junction where she lives, the driver pretended to miss it and the male passenger said that since they were already nearer to his place, why not send he off first and the driver politely asked for the victim permission... and she thought she was doing a good deed!

As soon as they got to the end of the quite housing area, the male passenger locked all the doors and leapt to the back and held a knife at her throat and forced her to bend her head down - she had to give up her jewelry and the $200 cash she had.

Not satisfied with only that much, they threatened for more so they drove off
to a bank nearby and took out everything she had..... The driver returned the card after clearing the account! Then they drove off to another area and dropped her off there, left her with only $10 and ask her to take another taxi home! The victim had to walk a long way back to the main road to get help and she is really traumatized by all these.

Later at the police station, she found out that she was 3rd victim that same day!

Let's remind everyone we know, as it could easily happen to us too or to anyone we care about. The lesson to be learnt here:

1. Always check the plate number BEFORE you board a taxi.
2. Always check the other things that a taxi should have the driver's ID, the inside number etc.
3. NEVER allow the driver to pick up another passenger - No matter what! If they do, get off from the taxi.
4. Avoid taking the taxi alone, if you can.
5. be extra careful if it is after office hours.

Pass on these words; you may help others to prevent this happened.