The private-hire car market has been a viable market that many have tapped on to make an extra buck. Some do this full-time, while others do this on the side in addition to the other jobs that they already have.

As you’d most probably know, the main players in this market are Grab and Gojek.

While most private-hire drivers try their best to make an honest living, some do not.

Too Good To Be True?

120 Gojek private-hire drivers were found to have allegedly cheated the company by paying $300 for modified versions of the Gojek mobile application to help them bypass verification, fake their location, and cancel jobs without any penalty.

In some situations, they were also able to view private customer details.

However, it has since been revealed by the general manager of Gojek Singapore Mr Lien Choong Luen that these modified apps do not work and instead, compromise the safety of passengers and drivers.

According to TNP, tests were done on these apps and it was proven that the apps didn’t help with raising the number of jobs the drivers get or prevent their acceptance rate from falling when they cancel bookings.

Apparently, it was just a facade shown to the drivers on their phones.

This causes the drivers to think that they’ve managed to cheat the system and gotten away with it, but instead, it only compromised the security of them and their customers through the installation of malware and the disabling of security functions.

While most drivers would know better, some still fell for this trick and encouraged other private-hire drivers to pay for it through group chats.

Ah, they want to cheat but kena cheated instead.

It seems that these apps seem to have been peddled by syndicates in Southeast Asia, with them using fake videos to show that the apps work.

Suspension For Errant Drivers

Gojek drivers who have been caught using these modified apps to cheat will receive warnings and suspensions of at least a day.

According to TNP, the 120 drivers only make up less than 1% of Gojek’s current number of drivers, so they believe that Gojek’s services will not be affected.

Mr Lien also added, “We have and will continue to take swift action against users of mod apps. We urge our driver-partners to join us in upholding a safe and honest Gojek community.”

Under the Computer Misuse Act, using modified apps is actually an offence, and anyone who is found modifying computer material without authorisation will be subjected to a fine of up to $10,000 and be jailed a maximum of three years.

The offender can also be subjected to a fine of up to $50,000 and jailed a maximum of seven years if the modification causes damage which includes threats to public safety.

When asked for input, Kalco Law criminal lawyer James Ow Yong shared that there could be mass prosecutions if the ride-hailing companies were to pursue the matter and make police reports against these drivers.

He said, “There is nothing stopping the prosecution of these drivers, and the fact that this seems to be widespread doesn’t make it less serious. It would actually make it more possible as it affects the safety of others.”

Gojek is currently working with the police to settle this matter.