Travel · Free tool
Petrol Pump Fraud Detector
Common scams: dispenser shows wrong litres, attendant manipulates pre-set, mixed fuel with diluents. Watch the dispenser display reach exactly the litres you should get for your amount.
For ₹1000 at ₹105.00/L, you should receive 9.52 L. Watch the dispenser display: it should reach exactly this amount before the bill prints.
How it works
Expected litres = amount paid ÷ price per litre at the pump. The display board must show today's notified price; in OMC-run stations (IOC, BPCL, HPCL) prices revise at 06:00 daily. Always insist the attendant reset the dispenser to 0.00 / ₹0 before fuelling — the most common scam is a pre-set ₹100 that you never see zero out.
Worked example
You pay ₹1,000 for petrol at ₹106.31/litre in Mumbai. Expected fill is 1000 ÷ 106.31 = 9.406 litres. If the dispenser stops at 9.10 litres, you have been short-fuelled by ~0.3 litres — about ₹32 lost on a single fill. Across 4 fills/month for a year, that is ₹1,500+ in plain theft. Always note the litre reading, not just the rupee amount.
When to use this
- Highway pumps on the Mumbai–Pune or Delhi–Jaipur routes where complaints are highest
- Late-night fills when supervisor presence is low
- Any pump where the attendant talks loudly or distracts you mid-fill
- Verifying the 5-litre “Quantity Check” jar that every petrol pump must carry under Legal Metrology rules
For long-term running cost analysis, compare with our EV vs petrol running cost calculator or read the breakdown in EV vs petrol running cost.
FAQ
I see correct litres but my fuel light still on — why?
Possible diluted fuel — water / kerosene mixed in. Run a basic test: fuel evaporates fully on a clean glass surface; water/kerosene leaves residue. Or: check density at the pump (most are required to display).
How to dispute short-fueling?
Insist on filing a complaint at the pump (mandatory by law). Note time, dispenser ID, attendant name. Escalate via Consumer Helpline 1915 or PCRA / state legal metrology dept.
Best time to refuel?
Early morning when fuel is denser (cooler temperatures). You get marginally more litres per ₹. Differences are real but small (~0.5%).