Gurugram, Haryana, January 7, 2026 — In a bizarre and unsettling incident that has drawn attention to the growing problem of ride-based scams, a woman allegedly defrauded a cab driver in Gurugram, driving him on a prolonged journey, refusing to pay the fare, and threatening him with false allegations of molestation or theft. The police have identified the woman as Jyoti Dalal, who reportedly has a history of similar fraudulent activities. Authorities have filed a case against her and are conducting further investigations.

According to police reports, the cab driver, Ziauddin, filed a complaint with the Sector 29 police station, narrating a harrowing ordeal that began on the morning of Tuesday, when Dalal booked a ride with him at around 8 a.m. Ziauddin said that she initially requested to be dropped in Sector 31, but then asked him to take her to the bus stand and subsequently to Cyber City, a busy business hub in Gurugram.

The journey quickly turned chaotic, with Ziauddin stating that Dalal made multiple requests for money during the trip. “She asked me for some money, about ₹700, and I obliged,” Ziauddin told news agency PTI. “She ate and drank at various places along the way, and I made all the payments on her behalf.”

However, the situation escalated in the afternoon when Ziauddin asked Dalal to pay her fare and end the ride. According to his complaint, Dalal became enraged and threatened to falsely accuse him of molestation or theft if he insisted on being paid. She then allegedly went to the Sector 29 police station herself, creating a disturbance.

It was during this complaint and investigation that the police realised that Jyoti Dalal was not new to such incidents. Officials discovered that she had previously scammed a cab driver and a salon in Gurugram, indicating a pattern of fraudulent behaviour. In one earlier instance, Dalal allegedly refused to pay ₹2,000 to a cab driver, while in another, she scammed a salon of ₹20,000. Police records also note that in February 2024, a video showing Dalal arguing with a cab driver over a fare went viral on social media, illustrating her history of similar scams.

Sector 29 SHO, Ravi Kumar, confirmed the registration of an FIR against Dalal under provisions of fraud and other sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. “A probe is underway, and she will be arrested soon,” the SHO stated, emphasizing that authorities were taking the matter seriously due to Dalal’s repeated involvement in defrauding service providers.

The incident comes amid rising reports of confrontations and scams involving cab services in Gurugram and other urban areas. In a separate incident last month, a woman passenger alleged that a cab driver misbehaved with her after she asked him to lower the music’s volume in the vehicle. According to a video that went viral, the driver allegedly not only refused her request but also verbally abused and threatened her. He reportedly forced her out of the cab and fled the scene, disregarding her right to reach her booked destination safely.

Such episodes highlight the vulnerabilities faced by both cab drivers and passengers. While ride-hailing services provide convenience, the absence of robust safeguards and accountability mechanisms can leave drivers exposed to fraud, harassment, and intimidation, as in the case of Ziauddin. Similarly, passengers are at risk of misconduct from unscrupulous drivers, as evidenced by the viral incident last month.

In Ziauddin’s case, the alleged scam also underlines the evolving tactics of con artists. Dalal reportedly combined deception with intimidation, leveraging threats of false criminal charges to evade payment. Such behaviour reflects a sophisticated understanding of legal loopholes and the potential hesitation of individuals to report threats of sexual harassment or theft to law enforcement, particularly in urban contexts where public scrutiny and legal processes can be slow.

Police sources further noted that Dalal’s repeated scams suggest premeditation rather than isolated incidents. The pattern — targeting service providers such as cab drivers and salons — indicates a strategic exploitation of everyday transactional situations. The Gurugram police have reportedly begun tracking her movements and reviewing previous complaints to consolidate cases and ensure a stronger legal response.

Experts in urban crime prevention point out that cases like these serve as cautionary tales for service providers. They recommend maintaining digital records of all transactions, avoiding cash advances to passengers, and alerting authorities promptly in the event of threats. Cab aggregators and salon owners are also advised to improve surveillance, verify bookings carefully, and educate staff on recognizing and reporting fraud attempts.

The FIR against Dalal also raises broader questions about accountability and deterrence. While urban con artists exploit gaps in enforcement, police initiatives such as fast-tracking repeat offender cases and issuing alerts to service providers can help prevent recurrence. Authorities in Gurugram are reportedly considering measures to share information about individuals with a history of scams to prevent them from targeting others.

Meanwhile, the case has captured local media attention due to its unusual elements: the prolonged cab ride, the multiple stops across the city, and the threats of false criminal allegations. Residents and service workers in Gurugram have expressed concern, calling for stronger enforcement measures and better protection for frontline service providers who are often vulnerable to such scams.

While Jyoti Dalal remains at large, the police investigation is expected to use a combination of eyewitness statements, CCTV footage, and transaction records to track her movements and gather evidence. Authorities have emphasized that a swift arrest is likely, especially given her known history and the clarity of the cab driver’s testimony.

As ride-hailing and personal service industries continue to grow in India’s urban centres, incidents like these underscore the need for systemic safeguards. Both service providers and consumers are exposed to fraud, harassment, and intimidation, highlighting the importance of digital payment verification, formal reporting mechanisms, and rapid police intervention.

The Gurugram incident also resonates with a broader conversation about urban law and safety. Experts note that while technology has facilitated mobility and convenience, the lack of rigorous vetting, accountability, and real-time tracking can allow repeat offenders like Dalal to exploit unsuspecting workers. Ensuring justice in such cases is not just about punishing the perpetrator but also about creating a deterrent effect that protects the larger community.

In conclusion, the saga of Jyoti Dalal’s fraudulent ride in Gurugram serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by everyday service providers. As police pursue her arrest, the incident underscores the dual need for vigilance on the part of workers and proactive law enforcement measures to prevent repeat scams. With an FIR registered and investigations underway, authorities are signaling a commitment to cracking down on urban fraudsters who exploit legal loopholes and threaten ordinary citizens.

For Ziauddin, the ordeal has highlighted both the risks of his profession and the importance of standing up to intimidation, while for the wider community, it is a call to reinforce accountability, reporting mechanisms, and awareness in the urban service sector.

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