A 35-year-old foreign visitor nearly lost over CZK 200,000 during a night out in Prague, after unknowingly paying an astronomical sum for a short taxi ride.

He discovered the charge only the next morning and, with the help of local police, was able to recover the money.

The incident occurred between Friday night and early Saturday morning, when the tourist, returning from a bar, took a taxi from Melantrichova Street to a nearby hotel. He quickly paid by card at the hotel and went straight to bed—unaware of what had just happened.

When he woke up and checked his account, he was stunned to see a charge of CZK 202,202. Shaken, he turned to the hotel receptionist for help, who promptly called the police.

The tourist couldn’t recall the exact details of the ride or the car. “The driver was older, thin, had grey hair, and didn’t speak English well,” said police spokesperson Jiřina Ernestová, quoting the man’s account. The tourist believed it was an honest mistake rather than a scam.

Using surveillance footage and knowledge of the area, Prague’s Taxi Team officers managed to locate the driver near the bar where the man had started his journey. After confirming that the full amount had indeed been credited to the driver’s account, the taxi driver agreed to cooperate.

Under police supervision, the driver accompanied officers back to the hotel, where he personally apologized to the guest and returned the entire sum.

“I knew it had to be a mistake—the amount was just too specific,” the tourist said in defense of the driver. The total, 202,202 crowns, suggested to him that it was a payment input error.

Still, this case ended on a positive note. The grateful tourist, relieved and smiling, praised the officers’ swift response. “Guys, thank you so much. Best police I’ve ever seen—100 percent,” he said, jokingly adding, “When you’re off duty, let’s grab a beer.”

He flew home the next day.

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