A disheartened taxi driver has found unexpected sympathy online after a video interview revealed how he is regularly tricked by university students who feign payment using QR codes, only to vanish without ever completing the transaction.
Photo via TikTok (@dila_dilala)
The story came to light when a woman, who had recently taken a traditional taxi instead of using a ride-hailing app, shared her encounter with the driver, “I felt really bad for the uncle,” she said in the video.
“He opened up about how students often pretend to scan and pay via QR code, but the payment never actually goes through. And they just walk away.”
What struck her most was not the loss of money but the betrayal: “He told me he wouldn’t be upset if they were just honest about not having money. But the lying really stings. It’s tough enough competing with e-hailing services, and now he has to deal with this sort of behaviour too.”
According to her, the driver was particularly disappointed because he expected better from university students. “He’s elderly, trying to get by, and yet it’s the younger generation who are supposed to be educated who are cheating him. It’s heartbreaking.”
The video resonated with many, and in the comments, others began sharing similar experiences.
One user recounted a story involving a friend: “I once had a friend who told me he had covered the taxi fare but later admitted he hadn’t paid a cent. I was furious. I managed to track the driver down and paid him double.”
The user added firmly, “I told my friend off. If you’re going to cheat someone, do it on your own time, not while dragging others into it.”
Please do not do this! The pakcik is just trying to earn an honest living. Let’s not take advantage of someone’s livelihood for the sake of a free ride. Be kind, be honest, and pay your fare.
