Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Kelly-Ann Mills

Group of men 'hack petrol pumps with device to push prices down' as fuel prices soar

Four men have been accused of installing a device at fuel pumps which drops the price down to pennies, in what officials say is a trend which will only spread as petrol prices continue to rise.

The men are said to have installed sophisticated “pulsators” inside pumps that regulate price and fuel flow, with the device sending price per litre downwards meaning they can fill up at little cost.

The fraudsters allegedly pulled off the scheme at two separate Circle K stations in Lakeland and Lutz in Florida, according to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).

Rogelio Llerena and Yulier Garcia-Martinez were arrested on Saturday, March 12 while they filled up in Lakeland, officers said.

Yordian Diaz-Benitez, of Tampa, was arrested at a Lutz station for stealing diesel fuel on Thursday, March 10.

Marlon Rosel-Rodriguez, Yordan Diaz Benitez, Yulier Garcia-Martinez and Rogelio Llarena were arrested (Polk County Sheriff's Office)

Marlon Rosel-Rodriguez was arrested two days later for attempting to place the device inside a pump at the same station, police say.

Ned Bowman, president of the Florida Department of Agriculture, said skyrocketing gas costs have fraudsters making the most of the opportunity.

“These are criminal rings,” Bowman told New York Post. “I think you are going to see this expand.”

They are accused of the forecourt scam (VCG via Getty Images)

Mr Bowman added that fraudsters pull up to compromised pumps with large trucks containing oversize tanks and fill up on the cut-rate fuel before reselling it at a steep profit.

“It’s a big deal,” he added.

Law enforcement agencies have warned station owners to look out for trucks stopped at pumps for unusually long periods.

“With gas prices hitting record highs, fuel theft can further drive up costs for all consumers,” FDACS Commissioner Nikki Fried said in a statement.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.