PHV driver tells off suspected scammer, Grab bans customer and reminds driver to be respectful

Suspected scam booking bore several red flags

Explaining why he suspected it was a scam booking, the driver told MS News that it bore several red flags.

Firstly, the user opted for cash payment.

Also, the user’s request made little sense given that the hotel had its own convenience options nearby.

The driver was not sure exactly what the customer had asked him to buy, as he had cancelled the call. “Likely top-up cards or maybe game cards on credit,” he said.

He said a key consideration was the user’s request for cash payment. The “worst-case scenario” for him would be buying the items, only to be ghosted after reaching the hotel. He added:

It is not worth the risk, it is to bait desperate drivers who need money. We never know.

Similar ‘scam bookings’ previously encountered

The driver also pointed out that the booking was similar to those encountered by other PHV drivers, according to warnings posted in PHV driver community groups on social media.

These alleged scam bookings would typically involve pick-ups from convenience stores and hotels, and requests for errands.

Source: PROFESSIONAL PHV DRIVERS SINGAPORE:Grab, Gojek,Tada n Ryde on Facebook

He recalled that a similar incident took place about a year ago, where a passenger requested for items to be bought from 7-Eleven to a hotel but cancelled the booking when they were challenged.

Source: PROFESSIONAL PHV DRIVERS SINGAPORE:Grab, Gojek,Tada n Ryde · on Facebook

Checks by MS News noted that the usual hotels used for these “scam bookings” are Hotel Boss and Hotel 81 Kovan, with the alleged scammers using similar message formats.

Source: PROFESSIONAL PHV DRIVERS SINGAPORE:Grab, Gojek,Tada n Ryde · on Facebook

PHV driver reports incident, gets warning instead

The driver said he reported the suspicious account and details to Grab in the belief that it would help protect other drivers.

But instead he received a warning from the platform for using “inappropriate remarks” towards a passenger, he added.

Screenshot courtesy of MS News reader

Though he admitted that his remarks were inappropriate, he expressed frustration that he was given a warning despite attempting to alert the company.

He noted that he had previously heard of cases where drivers received poor ratings after refusing unreasonable requests, and this added to his concerns about how such situations are handled.

Professionalism not neccessary towards scammers: Driver

The driver, who is driving part-time, said he had been driving for Grab since 2013, when the platform was launched in Singapore.

While he agreed that PHV drivers need to be professional, especially towards tourists, to boost Singapore’s reputation, but added:

However, towards scammers, I believe that professionalism does not need to be involved… Or else we will be deemed by them as a pushover.

He noted that some drivers might comply out of financial pressure, not realising they could be ghosted after making the purchases.

By highlighting the incident, he hoped other drivers would be more alert to suspicious bookings, which he believed could put them at risk of both monetary loss and platform penalties.

“Imagine how much money these scammers have cheated out of people, especially the seniors,” he said.

In response to queries from MS News, Grab said that the user named “Lucas patryk” has been banned from the platform.

“We take incidents involving scams on our platform very seriously,” a Grab spokesperson told MS News.

“We have measures in place to support and protect our partners, including educating them on common scam tactics and taking firm action against bad actors.”

MS News understands that this includes informing their partners about the scam tactic through regular in-app messages and posts on Grab’s official Telegram community groups and social media.

Partners are advised to report any suspicious encounters through the in-app Help Centre via the Grab Driver app.

The Grab spokesperson also added that they addressed the driver-partner’s use of inappropriate language on GrabChat.

The spokesperson said the company has reminded the driver of Grab’s expectations for respectful communication on the platform.

“We will continue to strengthen our safeguards and education efforts to help our partners stay vigilant and safe,” said the Grab spokesperson.

Also read: GrabFood Rider Allegedly Scammed Into Paying For Missing Food, User Gets Banned

GrabFood Rider Allegedly Scammed Into Paying For Missing Food, User Gets Banned