A taxi driver in Istanbul faces charges of fraud in a landmark case. Oğuz Sümer was detained after he overcharged a Ukrainian woman in January. Olena Lapeniuk residing in Istanbul boarded Sümer's taxicab in Istanbul's Fatih district for a trip to Bayrampaşa district. The driver told the victim the fee was TL 190 ($77). Lapeniuk was suspicious as she paid only TL 40 in previous trips to the same district. She handed the driver $100 but the driver changed the bill with a sleight of hand and claimed the woman handed her a $1 bill. She gave another $100 bill and the driver gave her a change of TL 25. Lapeniuk later filed a complaint against the driver and the police captured Sümer. Sümer admitted the fraud and handed back $200 but the prosecutor filed a lawsuit against the driver on charges of fraud. He now faces up to five years in prison. Cesim Parlak, a legal expert, says the lawsuit will set a precedent for taxi drivers and other commercial vehicle drivers scamming their fare. "There were already a large number of complaints against drivers either overcharging the fare or deliberately taking a longer route to boost the fees. This may deter the drivers," he said. Taking a taxi in Istanbul is the easiest way to get around and the most comfortable means of transportation, as buses, minibuses, and trams are often packed during most times of the day. However, taxis may sometimes prove troubling particularly for foreigners or Turkish citizens new to the city who often complain about drivers overcharging. Especially in Istanbul's "historic peninsula" that includes the districts of Eminönü, Beyoğlu and Beyazıt where tourist attractions like Topkapı Palace, Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia are located, passengers complain drivers overcharge them on short fares while locals complain they favor foreign passengers paying in dollars.