A Reading man has been fined more than £1,400 after advertising and arranging illegal airport transfers through Facebook, using unlicensed and uninsured drivers to carry out the journeys.
Illegal Facebook Advertisements
In September 2024, Reading Borough Council Licensing officers were alerted to a series of posts in local Facebook groups advertising “easy airport transfers from Reading.” The adverts, placed under the name Samuel Szymczyk, offered chauffeur-driven trips to London’s major airports.
When officers checked council records, they found no trace of Mr Szymczyk holding a valid Private Hire Operator’s Licence, raising concerns about the legitimacy of his service.
Undercover Booking Exposes the Scam
To test the claims, a Licensing officer booked an airport transfer on 14 January 2025 from The Penta Hotel, Reading, to Gatwick Airport for a pre-agreed fare of £75.
On the day of the booking, the driver arranged by Mr Szymczyk arrived — but it was quickly discovered they did not hold a Private Hire Driver’s Licence, the vehicle was not licensed, and crucially, it had no insurance for private hire work.
Court Case and Convictions
Mr Szymczyk appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on 8 August 2025, where he admitted two offences:
- Operating a private hire vehicle without a private hire operator’s licence (Section 46(1)(e) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976)
- Causing another to use a vehicle without insurance (Section 143(b) of the Road Traffic Act 1988)
Magistrates fined him £400 for operating without a licence and £120 for the uninsured vehicle. He also received six penalty points on his driving licence.
On top of this, he was ordered to pay a £208 victim surcharge and £690 in prosecution costs, bringing the total to £1,418.
Council’s Warning to the Public
Cllr John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, welcomed the conviction and warned passengers about the dangers of using illegal taxi services:
“This result secured by our Licensing service sends a clear message: the serious risks posed by unlicensed transport services and the deliberate deception used to promote them will not be tolerated in Reading.
Unscrupulous traders are taking advantage of the busy summer travel season. Unlicensed drivers are also able to undercut legitimate businesses, which work hard and within the rules. The promotion of an unlicensed and therefore uninsured service online misleads the public and puts passengers at serious risk.”
Protecting Yourself as a Passenger
This case highlights the risks of booking airport transfers through unverified online adverts. Only licensed drivers and operators are legally allowed to carry passengers, and without proper insurance, passengers are left completely unprotected if an accident occurs.
If in doubt, always check a taxi or private hire operator’s licensing details with your local council before booking.
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