The drive to earn extra money illegally remains a concern among owners and employees at gas stations in Russia, according to Roskachestvo’s consumer rights protection department. There are several schemes operators consider to fatten profits, including diluted fuel and miscalculations at payment. Yet the most frequent method involves underfilling the tank during refueling, a practice well documented by investigators and consumer advocates.
With software
In this scheme the illicit software runs from a remote server. Operators at the till trigger a specific input sequence to activate the program, which then discreetly alters the fuel dispensed. After the operation, the same sequence is used to disable the software, masking its traces. Consumers rarely notice the underfill because it typically amounts to 3 to 7 percent of the paid volume, a margin that accumulates across many transactions and stations (Roskachestvo).
With the help of a dispatcher
During what appears to be a routine refueling, a worker can release the final drops over a longer period by engaging the automatic shutoff when the nozzle nears its limit. As a result, the display rapidly changes while the actual amount delivered to the vehicle remains far below the recorded figure. To protect against this, it is advised not to refuel past the cut-off and to stop immediately after the first operation to verify the volume. This tactic often hinges on exploiting the system’s timing and controls rather than overt tampering (Roskachestvo).
Hose with hole
Another crafty ploy involves tampering with the hose. Fraudsters attach a valve or bore a small opening in the upper section so air is drawn in during the fill. When the trigger is released, an air column forms inside the hose, allowing several hundred grams of fuel to be mischarged despite the nozzle appearing to be fully engaged. This method relies on a misreading of the fuel column and a hidden air inflow that deceives both the pump and the customer (Roskachestvo).
Column error correction
Standards set a permissible discrepancy in measured fuel dosage at up to 50 milliliters for every 10 liters dispensed. Even during the installation phase of a new station, inspectors might observe a similar adjustment to the measuring piston chamber, effectively normalizing a consistent underfill. This hidden variance can be substantial when multiplied across many refuels, illustrating the scope of the potential theft and the challenge faced by regulators in catching deliberate sabotage (Roskachestvo).
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Roskachestvo warns that fraudulent practices can occur at any gas station and at any hour. Consumers who suspect foul play should request a control sample from the station manager. It is expected that a measuring cup or ruler be provided for this verification. The manager should take a control sample in the presence of the driver and two witnesses to ensure an auditable process and to deter tampering (Roskachestvo).
A note on verification: keeping track of volumes and recordings helps protect customers and supports fair business practices. Consumers are encouraged to stay observant, ask for receipts, and compare the recorded amount with the gauge reading. A careful approach can deter underhanded tactics and promote accountability across the fuel retail network (Roskachestvo).
A picture: Depositphotos