Filipino Taxi Scam Targets TXT’s Subin; Government Takes Action

The incident in which TOMORROW X TOGETHER member Subin was overcharged by a taxi driver during a trip to Cebu, a popular Philippine resort, gained widespread attention after Subin released a vlog detailing the experience, prompting direct intervention from the Philippine government. Local authorities have imposed a 30-day suspension on the taxi driver and are considering criminal charges against him.

Last month, Subin boarded a taxi to travel from Mactan International Airport to her accommodation. The estimated fare she had checked in advance was around 300 pesos (approximately 7,500 Korean won). However, the taxi driver initially demanded 500 pesos (about 12,500 Korean won) and then suddenly raised the price to 1,000 pesos (around 25,000 Korean won) during the ride. In her vlog, Subin explained, “I thought it would cost around 300 pesos. That’s why I tried to negotiate to keep it under 350 pesos.” She added, “Before getting out of the taxi, he asked for another 1,000 pesos, so I firmly insisted on paying only 500 pesos before getting out.”

After Subin’s video was published, Philippine local media covered the incident repeatedly. Filipino citizens also responded in comments, expressing apologies such as “I sincerely apologize” and stating that “scamming foreigners should not be seen as normal.” Eventually, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), under the Philippine Department of Transportation, issued an official statement.

The LTFRB stated that the taxi driver “failed to use a meter and demanded an excessive fare,” ordering him to surrender his vehicle license plate and driving license immediately. The board described it as a “serious violation that damages the country’s image” and imposed a 30-day preventive suspension. The LTFRB also mentioned that they are considering criminal prosecution and vehicle seizure against the taxi driver based on the investigation results.

This case became an example of how an unpleasant experience faced by a K-POP idol during a trip spread through social media, leading to official action from the local government. Additionally, in October 2022, SEVENTEEN’s Joshua was overcharged in Manila, Philippines, where he claimed he paid three times the regular fare after being charged 1,000 pesos.