Galeão Airport taxi fraud: Police target taximeter tampering scheme

The Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro launched an operation to dismantle an organized fraud scheme involving the tampering of taximeters at Galeão International Airport. Investigations revealed that drivers used a hidden electronic device, concealed behind a button in the trunk, to manipulate the meter and inflate fares.

Forensic analysis by the Carlos Éboli Criminalistics Institute (ICCE) confirmed that the device multiplied the pulses sent by the vehicle's sensor. When activated, the device could discreetly increase the fare by approximately 20%, leading to total charges up to 50% higher than standard rates. In some instances, passengers reported being charged over R$ 900 for trips to Rio's South Zone.

Authorities are investigating whether the fraud was part of a larger structure, as seized documents suggest that the installation of these devices may have been required by a taxi rental company and performed at a specific workshop. Police are also looking into whether the devices were pre-installed in rental vehicles. During the operation, several individuals, including taxi drivers and “jockeys” who approached passengers at the airport, were taken in for questioning.