'Go upstairs to get money': Kaohsiung man indicted for five 'dine-and-dash' taxi rides

A man in Kaohsiung faces fraud charges for repeatedly tricking taxi drivers into giving him rides, only to disappear after claiming he needed to retrieve money from upstairs. The suspect, identified by his surname Lin, allegedly committed these offenses five times between late March and early April.

Prosecutors have indicted the 29-year-old Lin on charges of fraud, seeking a summary judgment. His alleged scheme involved hailing taxis in areas like Fongshan, Daliao, and Linyuan, then instructing the drivers to take him on various routes. Upon reaching a destination, he would claim he needed to go upstairs to get cash for the fare, subsequently vanishing.

In one instance on March 27, Lin allegedly racked up a NT$750 fare to Linyuan. He told the driver he would get money from upstairs but never returned, leaving the driver waiting in the sun for half an hour. Later that same day, he reportedly took another taxi for a fare of NT$1,255, again using the same excuse and disappearing. The second driver waited nearly 55 minutes before reporting the incident.

Lin allegedly continued his pattern, defrauding drivers of NT$590 on March 29 and NT$1,200 on April 4. His alleged spree ended on April 13 when he took a taxi for NT$510. This time, the driver, suspicious of Lin's repeated excuse, refused to let him leave alone and insisted on accompanying him. The ensuing public argument attracted patrolling police officers, who arrested Lin on the spot and uncovered his string of alleged taxi fare frauds.

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I need to go upstairs to get money to pay the fare.