In times of crisis and economic necessity, some resort to stratagems to support themselves, despite dwindling resources. In the current context of sharply rising fuel prices, gasoline thefts are on the rise. Added to the siphoning of trucks is a new method spotted on the Web, which allows fuel to be stolen by credit card.
Up to 1000 liters usurped in a few minutes, sold for one euro per liter
On August 22, France 3 reported a fuel theft, in the middle of the night, in a 24-hour station in Puiseaux in the Loire. The method is relatively simple, but it only works in old stations in which, when one pump is activated, the neighboring pump is also activated. After spotting this flaw, the thieves pay a small amount of gasoline by credit card at a first pump. This allows you to freely use the pump next door. The three men involved said they spotted the trick on the Internet. These fuel thieves managed to steal 1,000 liters of gasoline in a few minutes, which they resold on the black market. This cost them 6 months suspended sentence.
Truckers worry about cargo theft
For their part, truck drivers complain of losses linked to theft by siphoning, a practice which is becoming more and more common. The drivers are even forced not to lock the tanks anymore, for fear that thieves will break through the tanks. With inflation showing no sign of slowing down, transporters already very concerned about the theft of goods that drivers must deliver, the theft of parts and whole parts of trucks, such as spare wheels or fire extinguishers, are now facing to fuel thefts exploding.