# American tourist alleges rickshaw drivers overcharged her during London ride

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/american-tourist-says-she-was-left-terrified-after-trio-of-rickshaw-drivers-tried-to-scam-her-and-steal-her-phone-during-dream-holiday-in-london/
- Published: 2026-10-27T20:57:17+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-27T21:12:30+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16240565/American-tourist-rickshaw-drivers-scam-steal-phone-London.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Culture, Travel, World

## Key points

- Tourist says three rickshaw drivers tried to take her phone and card.
- She was asked to pay £52 for a ride of about five minutes.
- London has launched a crackdown on excessive rickshaw charges.

## Summary

American tourist Heather Ford says three rickshaw drivers tried to overcharge her and obtain her phone during a short ride in central London. She escaped without handing over her phone or card, but says the encounter left her frightened and affected a solo holiday she had planned for years.

Ford, 39, said the driver took her past her hotel near Charing Cross, then demanded £52 for a journey of about five minutes, including £40 in cash. Two other men allegedly joined him and asked to use her phone; when she refused, one asked for her bank card. The article says a price list showed charges of up to £10 per person per minute, and that Mayor Sadiq Khan had launched a crackdown on rickshaw drivers.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.