‘New approach’: Hong Kong police to seek legal advice on whether to prosecute 13 alleged Uber drivers identified in ‘undercover operations’

“I believe the chance of prosecuting [alleged Uber drivers] for carrying passengers without a hire car permit is high.”

But he warned the public against carrying out such decoy actions.

He said these undercover cabbies might face risks if their targeted drivers did not comply or resorted to unexpected actions such as violence.

Another source said the information collected by taxi drivers was similar to what police had gathered in their own operations.

He added prosecuting the illegal Uber drivers would be successful if the court accepted the evidence given by the involved cabbies.

Members from a taxi union carried out at least three undercover operations this month in which they posed as passengers and reported 13 illegal ride-hailing cases involving alleged Uber drivers

Last Thursday, taxi drivers posed as passengers and boarded seven vehicles driven by alleged Uber drivers in seven different locations in Kowloon. They then called police to report seven illegal ride-hailing services after they were taken to the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal.

Another two operations were conducted earlier this month involving six alleged Uber drivers who were accused of taking undercover cabbies to the Shun Tak Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan on May 1 and the Lan Kwai Fong entertainment hub in Central on May 4.

Police are treating the case as traffic complaints.

In Hong Kong, it is against the law to use a motor vehicle for hire or reward without a hire car permit under the Road Traffic Ordinance.

First violations incur a maximum penalty of a fine of HK$10,000 (US$1,281) and six months in prison. Subsequent convictions can lead to one year in jail and a fine of HK$25,000.