Toronto police say they have made an arrest in a long-standing alleged scam that’s played out throughout the city.

Investigators have said they’ve seen a rash of fraudulent transactions since 2018, collectively costing hundreds of customers millions of dollars.

They allege the scam operates by asking passengers in licensed taxis to pay their fares with a debit card, then switching out the customer’s card for a different one from the same financial institution.

Last year police laid more than 260 charges against six people, but said the scam remained active.

Jerron Acosta, 22, of Mississauga, faces 31 counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.

Police said he was driving a 2016 red Toyota Corolla taxi with the licence plate CKMB 471 and a City of Toronto taxi plate #1484 when arrested on Jan. 4.

He is scheduled to appear in court Feb. 24 at Old City Hall.

Police say they believe there may be more victims and participants in similar scams and are urging anyone who may have been affected to come forward.

Anyone who has any information or believes they’ve been a victim of a taxi debit card scam is asked to contact police at 416-808-2222, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477 or online at 222tips.com.