British holidaymakers are urgently advising fellow travellers to meticulously plan their European excursions in advance after encountering a potentially widespread Uber scam that appears to be targeting unsuspecting tourists in both Romania and Portugal. The alarming reports have emerged from seasoned travellers who have shared distressing accounts of deceptive practices by some drivers operating through the popular ride-hailing platform.
Shocking Ordeal in Bucharest
A frequent traveller recently took to social media to detail her "shocking" ordeal during what was supposed to be a relaxing "Extreme Day Trip" to Bucharest in February. The woman, identified as Stacey Nuttall on Facebook, described how she became entangled in a troubling situation that resulted in unexpected cancellation fees and unusual demands from an Uber driver.
Stacey shared her experience within the popular "Extreme Day Trips" Facebook group, which boasts an impressive membership of 350,000 travel enthusiasts who regularly exchange holiday highlights and practical advice for visiting distant cities within a single day. According to her account, travellers on such tight schedules may be particularly vulnerable to this type of swindle, as they often depend on taxis rather than public transportation to ensure they catch their return flights on time.
The Spa Visit That Turned Sour
The traveller, who had previously visited the Romanian capital multiple times without encountering any difficulties, had specifically organized her most recent trip to unwind at Therme Bucharest, renowned as Europe's largest indoor spa facility. Her troubles began when attempting to depart the spa around 10pm.
"When we came to leave the spa around 10pm, we booked our Uber through the app like I have done each time I have visited," Stacey explained in her social media post. "The driver turned up within a minute as he must have already been waiting outside. We got in the taxi, and as soon as he realized we were English, he pulled over a minute down the road and told me we have a problem."
She revealed that the driver informed her the price displayed on her Uber app—which would have been in English—was "incorrect" and demanded she pay him additional cash if she wished to continue the journey. When Stacey refused to provide the extra funds, she claimed the driver instructed her and her companions to "get out" of the vehicle, which they reluctantly did.
Multiple Cancellations and Fees
Having left her cash at the hotel, the traveller relied on booking taxis through the app using digital payment methods but hesitated at paying extra for what should have been a fixed fare. The situation deteriorated further when the driver cancelled the ride, resulting in Stacey being charged a cancellation fee for a journey from which she had been forcibly removed.
"I went to book another Uber and he accepted again—and then cancelled again and got another cancellation fee," she continued, describing how the pattern repeated with a second driver. Stacey began to suspect this might be a coordinated issue within the city, as she further claimed to have been approached by four different taxi drivers who requested payment through alternative methods such as cash upfront, Apple Pay, or Revolut.
"This all felt very set up—rides being accepted and then cancelled, but approached and asked for more in cash instead," she observed. Eventually, a taxi driver who did not appear to be associated with Uber agreed to transport her to the hotel, where she would later pay for the journey using cash. During this ride, the driver suggested the difficulties might stem from government taxes imposed on taxi drivers, causing them to lose money on certain fares.
Wider Pattern of Similar Incidents
Stacey emphasized that this was her first such experience despite three visits to Bucharest within the previous six months. She speculated that the timing near the spa's closing hour might have made travellers particularly vulnerable. "Maybe it's because it was so close to the spa closing and they knew people would be cold, wet, and desperate to get home," she suggested.
Her advice to fellow travellers is clear: "Leave a fair bit earlier than the spa closes, or if there is a bus that goes to the spa, maybe get that. Be safe and remain vigilant and leave a tip for the taxi drivers as it does make all the difference." It remains unclear whether the traveller contacted Uber to request reimbursement for the cancelled trips.
Other Travellers Report Comparable Experiences
Other Facebook users quickly chimed in with similar accounts from both Romania and Faro, Portugal, suggesting this may be a more widespread issue affecting tourists across Europe. One individual shared their Bucharest experience: "I've been [to the spa] twice. The first time a taxi man tried the same thing, but I just rebooked another and was fine. I've heard of this happening a lot in other countries though, so definitely don't give in to them."
Another recalled: "We had the same, although probably around 6pm. It was infuriating and so rude. We were lucky that the bus turned up and we got that instead. It seemed very suspicious to us."
A third contributor, who had been holidaying in Faro, Portugal, reported: "Same thing happens at the airport—multiple drivers accepted and cancelled. Over an hour trying to leave. Another scam is them not coming to pick-up point and asking to walk to meet them 8 to 10 minutes away... and then they are not there—you see them driving away on app. Ended up taking the bus, but all this money was coming out for several taxis that played games."
Uber's Official Response
A spokesperson for Uber provided a statement to the Daily Mail addressing these concerning reports: "The behaviour that has been described is completely unacceptable. Uber has clear rules regarding payments and cancellations, and we will investigate and take appropriate action on any reports of this nature. We always aim to deliver the highest standard of service to all riders and everyone should feel safe and welcome when riding with Uber."
The mounting accounts from multiple travellers highlight the importance of remaining cautious when using ride-hailing services abroad, particularly in unfamiliar destinations. As European travel continues to rebound, these warnings serve as crucial reminders for tourists to stay alert, understand local transportation options, and report any suspicious activities to both local authorities and the service providers themselves.
