Beware of Tuk Tuk scammers in Colombo : VIDEO

Three-wheelers -better known as tuks, are an easy way of travelling around the city. As much as we think that they would make our life easier, there have been instances when people had to think twice before using this mode of transport. While commuters have to worry about locked meters and even harassments in certain instances, several organised groups are engaging in a scam to find easy money.

While speculations are still rife as to why they are engaging in such notorious acts, the Daily Mirror sheds light on the current situation and how passengers could be more cautious when commuting in tuks.

Incidents reported on social media

Several of these scams were reported on social media and were brought to the notice of the Narahenpita Police. It was revealed that two brothers, Sajindu Anuradha Tillekeratne and Subash Anuradha Tillekeratne from Piliyandala and Pepiliyana are involved in the scam. According to victims’ reports they threaten and demand money as compensation especially from female motorists saying that the latter has accidentally damaged their side mirrors. We asked a few victims to share their experiences with us.

This is *Nishadi’s experience as told to Daily Mirror:
“I was driving down Jawatta Road towards Bauddhaloka Mawatha around 6pm (I was to pick up a friend from Bates at 6.15pm to go for our University Re-Union). Just past the Italian Embassy there was a three-wheel guy driving in the middle of the lane, so I honked (a little aggressively as I was running late) and after a little more honking he moved and let me pass. However as I was passing him I realized that he was a little too close to my vehicle but not close enough for contact.

A little after I noticed he was honking at me and flashing lights. I felt as if he was following me and at the colour light I saw him trying to get my attention but I ignored him and turned right. Then I realized that he was still following me. Then I turned towards CR&FC (in front of RadioCeylon) and I noticed him turning as well. As I was taking the next bend to the left he was honking and screaming at me. When I stopped, he came around the passenger side window and asked whether I didn’t see or hear him. 

When I responded he said that I have knocked on his side mirror. But when I apologized, he said the mirror costs Rs. 5000 and if I paid half he can get it fixed and that the cops would catch him if he didn't have one. I said I don't have any money with me and then he asked me to give any amount I had in hand and he even claimed to have got injured. He tried showing me some wound near his eyebrow which was not there and he also couldn’t find and there was no blood either.

That's when I realized I was probably being scammed but it was around 6.15pm and was getting pretty dark, I was late and he was standing at my window. I said I can't see your wound but if you need help with the mirror all I can give you is Rs. 1000 then he kept pestering me and didn’t go away and kept saying how he got hurt and about the mirror. I felt bad... I normally don't carry cash but that day I had some so I gave him another 1000 and said that that’s all I have in hand. He then thanked, blessed me and left.”

Raveen was another individual who was victimised in this scam. This is his experience:

“The incident took place about a month back. My wife and I were on our way home from work. At around 7.30pm we were on Kotte Road, and there was a trishaw in front of us, driving in the middle of the road. He did not make way for me nor the other vehicles on the road. In order to prevent holding up the trail of vehicles behind me, I overtook him with great care. As soon as we passed the vehicle, we heard the sound of an object falling behind us.

Since we were careful when we overtook him, we didn't think we had anything to worry about, so we kept on driving. About three or four minutes later the trishaw was trailing behind us, honking and flashing his headlights. While doing so he lifted up a broken side mirror for us to see. Since it was quite dark, my wife thought it was a part of our vehicle, so we pulled over and stopped. The trishaw guy parked behind us, and walked up to the passenger seat window.

He kept rubbing on our side mirror and mumbling something (it was only later we realised that while doing so he was actually scraping our side mirror). I got off the vehicle to check what the issue was. It was only then he said that we had knocked down his side mirror and that it would cost him Rs.1500 to get it fixed.

I checked my side mirror, and it was scratched in a really odd way. However, since it was dark, he looked dodgy, and I didn't want to stir up any trouble, especially because of my wife was also in the car and didn't want to leave her alone in the vehicle, I gave him the Rs. 1500, got back and drove away.”
*
Names withheld under strict condition of anonymity

These scammers may be linked to a drug ring : Narahenpita OIC

Narahenpita Police OIC Gayan Prasanna told the Daily Mirror that two brothers have been doing these scams for some time. “When we investigated in to the matter we found that they have fixed their side mirrors in such a way so that they would fall at any moment. While the usual mechanism is for its spherical lock to be fixed upwards, they have it facing downwards. So even if they come in to contact with a car, the side mirror has a tendency to brush past its surface.

Then they come as close as possible with the vehicle they want to victimize and pretend to have met with an accident. Thereafter they take the side mirror in their hand and ask the people driving the vehicle to be more cautious and go on talking about the cost. If asked to go to the Police they refuse and instead bargain for money. Since the owners feel embarrassed, they have paid huge sums close to Rs. 6000. But the actual cost of a side mirror is Rs. 150.”

Speaking further he said that this is part of a business and they may be linked to a drug ring. “We arrested one of the suspects by the name Subash Anuruddha Tillekaratne driving the three-wheel with number WP ABE 4844 and was bailed out … two lakhs. In order to track individuals engaging in such scams we are in the process of conducting an island wide ‘line up’ along with the Colombo Crime Division (CCD).

Here we get the photos and fingerprints of these people and include them in a database. Then once we receive a complaint we will search for the name and track them down eventually.”

Professional tuk drivers don’t engage in such notorious acts : AITWOA Chairman

According to All Island Three-Wheel Owners Association (AITWOA) Chairman Sudhil Jayaruk professional three-wheel drivers do not have time to engage in such notorious acts. “They in fact don’t have time to waste because they have to go on their daily rounds and earn their living. But there is a group that is involved in the drug business and they are the ones causing trouble.

So they would come up with fake accidents such as those portrayed in these scams and try to earn some extra money. A side mirror for example won’t cost a huge sum of money; it could be bought for Rs. 150 and the matter could be solved in that case. But the underlying issue is that of these unwanted individuals ruining the profession. We in fact requested the government to identify professional three-wheel drivers and give them a license and give them a proper training about road rules and the civil laws.”

Sudhil further said that if he came across people involved in such scams he would definitely help the Police to find the culprits. “The three-wheel driver has a big responsibility vested upon him when moving around with passengers. Therefore scams such as these shouldn’t be encouraged.

But on the other hand there are instances when luxury vehicles come into contact with three-wheelers but the drivers refuse to pay. So the poor three-wheel driver has to bear the costs. Therefore we need to look at these issues in all perspectives and derive a solution.”

Thoughts from three-wheel drivers

The Daily Mirror also spoke to a few three-wheel drivers to listen to their thoughts on the recent turn of events.

Premadasa Mallawa has been in the profession for over 20 years. He said that parents buy three-wheelers for young boys as soon as they leave school. “They don’t have a discipline and would go on to the extent of harassing passengers and taking money.

During the past few days we saw how three-wheel drivers harassed tourists. I’m not aware of the scams that are going on but they are degrading our profession. These young boys are trying to find money in easy ways but that’s not good to the rest of the three-wheel drivers.”

Jayantha Jayasinghe has been a three-wheel driver for 12 years. He says that since they are doing a job, harassments don’t usually happen. “We want to do this professionally and I don’t think any professional three-wheel driver would harass his customers.

I have hardly taken a tourist on a ride for the past few months and we take extra care when we work with them because if anything goes wrong it’s bad for the country. I also cannot accept the so-called scams that are going on these days because the victim should have the brains to question the three-wheel driver before paying money. I strongly condemn such acts and would like to ask the younger generation to be more responsible.”

T. Amarasinghe says that so far he has never come across any passenger who has been harassed by a three-wheel driver. “There may be instances when these incidents happen but I’m not aware of them. The blame should go to the younger generation because they sometimes think that it’s easier to earn money that way.

But that’s very wrong. On the other hand victims of three-wheel scams should report these incidents to the police because it is only then that the law would be enforced.”

“I’m not aware of these scams”, says Gunapala, another three-wheel driver who is quite new to the profession. “Once I met with an accident in Borella and the person in the vehicle gave me money and asked to fix the broken side mirror. I think the younger generation should be more cautious and disciplined because they too are doing a job.”

Janaka is another three-wheel driver who has recently joined the profession. Although he too wasn’t aware of the scams he condemned them. “Those involved in the drug business have notorious ways of earning money. So these scams should also be part of their mission.

Young boys become three-wheel drivers because they can’t do another qualified job. So they will eventually fall into the wrong hands and go to the extent of demeaning the profession.”
According to Joseph only an organised group would engage in such scams. “This is the same with meters as well.

Sometimes their meters are working but they would say that the meter is broken and over-charge passengers. If one comes across these people they should be reported to Police. However much we are genuine, people will think of us also in the same way and it would eventually affect us.”

If you come across any of these scammers, please contact the Narahenpita Police OIC on 0112-368242 or 0112-588638

Pics by Waruna Wanniarachchi