Uber offices raided; company ‘possibly criminal’ say inspectors

Transport ministry inspectors on Tuesday raided the Amsterdam offices of online taxi service Uber, seizing part of the administration in the process.

It is the second time this year the company has been raided as part of an investigation into Uberpop, the controversial service which allows unlicenced drivers to offer taxi services.

Uber is suspected of ‘organised’ violation of the law, according to ministry documents in the hands of broadcaster RTLZ. The documents also describe Uber as a ‘possibly criminal organisation’, the broadcaster says.

Illegal

Uberpop offers taxi rides which are booked with unlicenced drivers and paid for by credit card. It has been branded illegal in the Dutch courts and fines totalling €450,000 have been handed out to drivers. These have been paid by Uber.

The authorities are now trying to gain an insight into Uber’s administration to find out how many private drivers work for the Uberpop service in an effort to have the service closed down.