Travellers arriving at Cape Town International Airport are being warned about alleged scams involving people who pose as Uber drivers and charge visitors thousands of rand for journeys that should cost only a few hundred rand.
A contractor working at the airport told MyBroadband that some tourists have allegedly been charged between R10,000 and R25,000 for a single trip. The contractor, who also works part-time as a driver for a recognised e-hailing service, said he regularly hears complaints from passengers about their experiences.
According to the contractor, the incidents are damaging visitors’ perceptions of South Africa. He said some foreign travellers had told him they would not return to the country after being allegedly overcharged and intimidated.
The allegations highlight the risks faced by passengers who arrive after long international flights and may be unfamiliar with airport transport arrangements.
How the alleged airport scam works
The contractor alleged that the operation involves a group of current and former metered-taxi drivers whose businesses were affected by the arrival of ride-hailing platforms in South Africa. These claims have been attributed to the contractor and do not, on their own, establish the identity or responsibility of any specific individuals.
The alleged scammers reportedly wear reflective vests and sometimes carry fake identification cards designed to make them appear to be authorised Uber drivers. They approach travellers near airport exits and offer transport services.
Their appearance can make them seem legitimate to passengers who are tired or uncertain about where to find their booked vehicle.
The contractor said the individuals may also mislead travellers about the location of official e-hailing pickup points. When passengers ask where they should meet their app-booked drivers, the alleged scammers may claim that the pickup area is far away and offer to take them instead.
Travellers may then be encouraged to cancel their original bookings and accept a ride from someone they have not verified through the platform.
The contractor said the vehicles may still take passengers to their intended destinations. The alleged fraud occurs when the driver processes a payment far above the agreed fare.
In one example described by the contractor, a journey costing R250 could result in a card-machine transaction of R25,000 if the passenger fails to check the amount before tapping their card.
A 70-year-old tourist from the United Kingdom allegedly told the contractor that she had paid £800, equivalent to approximately R17,690, for a fake e-hailing trip from the airport.
After noticing the unusually large debit, she reportedly confronted the driver. He allegedly claimed that he had entered the wrong amount by mistake and promised to contact a manager to reverse the transaction.
Tourists urged to verify drivers and check payments
The contractor said the tourist reported the incident to the South African Police Service (SAPS) before leaving the country and obtained a case number. However, she had not recovered her money at the time of the account provided to MyBroadband.
He suggested that recovering the payment could be difficult because the passenger had voluntarily tapped her bank card on the machine. This was the contractor’s assessment; the available account does not establish what decision a bank would make in an individual dispute.
In another alleged incident, a passenger said a driver demanded R10,000 for a trip that should have cost about R200. When challenged, the driver reportedly became aggressive.
The contractor said visitors could feel particularly vulnerable when confronted by an intimidating person in an unfamiliar country, especially after a long flight.
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has attempted to warn passengers by placing signs around the airport. The notices advise travellers not to accept transport offers from people who approach them unsolicited. Instead, passengers are directed to use designated service desks and book journeys through e-hailing applications.
However, the contractor alleged that some warning signs were removed and thrown on the ground.
The signs were introduced after a TikTok video published earlier in 2026 drew attention to alleged fake Uber scams at Cape Town International Airport.
Travellers can reduce their exposure to this type of alleged fraud by booking through the official app, checking driver and vehicle details against the booking, and refusing unsolicited offers from people claiming to represent a transport platform. Passengers should also verify the amount displayed on a card machine before tapping their card and retain transaction records if they need to dispute a payment.
The allegations described by the contractor underline the importance of clear pickup arrangements and effective warnings for visitors using transport services at major airports.