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Manhattan, NY - A doctor who questioned an unusually high fare is credited with touching off a widespread investigation into cabbie rip-offs.

Dr. Mitchell Lee was riding home from NYU Medical Center in Manhattan in August when he noticed an extra $2 on his usual $5 fare.

When he complained, the driver offered a discount. Instead, Lee paid the full fare, with a credit card, then complained to the Taxi and Limousine Commission.

Dr. Mitchell Lee yesterday tells how he spotted the cab-meter swindle on a late-night ride home.

The TLC said last week that thousands of cabbies had illegally raised rates on about 1.8 million trips over two years, overcharging riders a total of $8.3 million by setting their meters at a rate that was supposed to be used for trips to the suburbs.

Lee told the New York Post that New Yorkers — and tourists — are “smarter than cabbies think.”

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