We had a scandal similar to this in Peru a few months ago: http://www.larepublica.pe/26-06-2012/imagenes-demuestran-que-chofer-de-taxi-satelital-no-drogo-ni-asa

We had a scandal similar to this in Peru a few months ago: http://www.larepublica.pe/26-06-2012/imagenes-demuestran-que-chofer-de-taxi-satelital-no-drogo-ni-asalto-jovencita http://www.larepublica.pe/26-06-2012/imagenes-demuestran-que... "Taxi Satelital" is a taxi company valued for its safety and overall ease of use, that subcontracts each ride to a pool of licensed drivers (like uber). A young woman accused one of its drivers of drugging and abusing her. Everyone assumed she was right and went all "duke-lacrosse" on the firm, which we assumed will have to go bust soon. The next day, the CEO appeared on TV with a CC video, the phone call audio, GPS records, and even one witness, showing that she was indeed making it up. After seeing this happen one too many times, I think its prudent if we withhold judgement and let the police do their job. That said, I do believe unlicensed drivers are a huge issue in thefts, kidnappings, and rapes in many parts of the world (London as you quoted, but this is also common knowledge in most of Latin America)