Un-fare: Cabbie refuses to refund 20k yuan mistake

A North China man has filed a report with police after he mistakenly overpaid 20,000 yuan ($3,000) for a taxi fare while drunk and now the cabbie insists on keeping a huge chunk.

The passenger surnamed Han of Taiyuan, Shanxi Province had hailed the taxi back home after a drinking session earlier this month.

The ride cost 20 yuan ($3). Han paid the driver, surnamed Wang, through WeChat, and in his inebriated state added a few extra zeroes – for a grand total of 20,000.

Realizing his mistake, Han called Wang for a refund. However, Wang has so far returned 11,000 yuan.

At first, Wang told a TV reporter he didn’t notice the huge amount and that his bank account had been set to automatically transfer deposits to pay off a bank loan.

However, Wang changed his tune when the reporter reminded him that Han had paid through a mobile platform, making it more likely that Wang made the transfer himself.

“It was also probably a tip,” Wang said, adding Han should let him keep some of the money as a show of gratitude.

Tipping taxi drivers, waiters and other service industry workers is not customary in China.

When asked if he would return the money, Wang said: “I don’t know, I will probably return it someday.”

Han is not waiting for someday and has already filed a report with local police.