Cab driver keeps 92-year-old passenger from falling for $25K scam

ROSEVILLE, Calif. — A California cab driver who was able to keep one of his passengers, a 92-year-old woman, from falling for a $25,000 IRS scam was heralded this week with a great citizen award from police.

Authorities said Raj Singh, the owner of Roseville Cab, became suspicious after he picked the woman up from her home in Sun City. She told Singh to take her to the bank, where she planned to withdraw $25,000 to settle a debt with the IRS, according to officials.

“This sounded very suspicious to Raj, so he suggested to the woman (that) this may be a scam,” Roseville police said in a Facebook post.

After the woman told Singh she didn’t believe him, police said he “pleaded with the woman to reconsider.” He and the woman eventually agreed to check in with police to check the veracity of the debt, officials said.

At the police station, Singh asked to speak with an officer while his passenger waited in the cab.

“He waited for a while but finally was able to speak with an officer, who then spoke with the woman,” police said. “Sure enough, it was a scam.”

After the woman spoke with police, she decided not to pay the scammers and Singh returned her to her home, authorities said.

“We love this story because several times throughout, Raj could have just taken his customer to her stop and not worried about her wellbeing,” police said. “He took time from his day and had the great forethought to bring the almost-victim to the police station for an official response."

To thank Singh, police partnered with Roseville Crime Stoppers and presented him with a $50 gift card Tuesday.

“His quick thinking saved a senior citizen $25,000 and for that, we greatly appreciate his efforts,” police said. “Great work all-around!”

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