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Kolkata man claiming ‘mafia connection’ threatens US YouTuber after taking him to wrong hotel

Midway to his hotel, the US YouTuber had to change his taxi after the first driver took him to the wrong place and refused to go all the way to the right one.

Updated on: May 29, 2025, 12:51:07 IST
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A US tourist’s unsettling experience in Kolkata has sparked concern online after a man accompanying a local taxi driver not only took him to the wrong hotel but also threatened him with “mafia connections". The man filmed the encounter and shared a video on YouTube, which has since gone viral.

US YouTuber Dustin paid  ₹800 for a taxi to his hotel from Kolkata Airport. (YouTuber/@dustincheverier6808)
US YouTuber Dustin paid ₹800 for a taxi to his hotel from Kolkata Airport. (YouTuber/@dustincheverier6808)

“From this point forward I will never use random taxi drivers from the airport, always Uber. I didn't plan to make any videos from the airport as I was already tired from traveling. However, when the taxi driver brought me to the wrong hotel after I showed him the correct address and location on the map I started filming,” wrote Dustin.

Also Read: American lawyer threatened by Jaipur hotel manager, cab driver: ‘Started pounding at my door’

“At the time, I didn't understand what he was saying and had my friend translate, he said it was pretty messed up. We agreed to 700 beforehand including the parking ticket and as you can see in the video the prices kept changing. Regardless, I've had a good time in India so far and this situation doesn't really change anything,” he continued.

Viewer discretion advised: This video contains strong and abusive language

What did social media say?

A third joined, “Those who are saying he should have taken the bus, metro, uber, etc. etc., tell me a thing how a damn foreigner is supposed to know what to take and what not to! Instead of criticising him, could we not just talk about the law and order situation in this state where these things keep happening?” A fourth wrote, “I’m Bengali, and I can understand what that guy is saying. He’s extremely rude and cursing! I’m really sorry you had to experience this. Please know that not all people are like that, and I hope you enjoyed the rest of your stay in Kolkata. Once again, I’m truly sorry.”

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Trisha Sengupta

Trisha Sengupta is a Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over six years of digital newsroom experience. Specialising in high-engagement storytelling, she blends viral trends with traditional journalism to cover the intersection of technology, finance, and human emotion. Her reporting spans real estate and personal finance struggles in hubs like Bengaluru and Gurgaon, the NRI experience, and corporate shifts like tech layoffs. Trisha also frequently tracks global figures and writes human interest stories. Offline, Trisha is an avid reader, history enthusiast and solo traveler. She balances her journalism career with family life while actively integrating AI tools into her modern storytelling approach.

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