The 28-year-old from Potsdam, conducting research for his thesis on criminal law in Russia, was led to believe the taxi would cost 450 rubles (about $17).
After handing over a 1,000 ruble note, he expected 550 rubles in change, but the driver demanded 400 euros for the trip. The student protested, and the driver threatened to call "security services," and promised "unpleasantness."
The student was forced to hand over all the cash he was carrying at the time - 5,000 rubles (about $190), and was ejected from the car before reaching his destination.
He informed the German consulate and police the following day.
The suspect, who has been identified, if charged and found guilty of robbery, may face up to seven years in prison.
The Transport Ministry's press service quipped that the German PhD student now has the chance to learn about Russian criminal law in practice, as well as in theory.
