I demanded a new tyre right away, he said, he would repair, I adamantly demanded a new tyre and to be fixed immediately.

BHPian bkc recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I've faced a similar incident at a puncture shop.

I was quite vigilant, when he told, he wanted to remove the tyre for repairing a tubeless puncture.

Holding the tyre in left hand, they apply soap liquid from the other hand. While you focus on the soap, puncture the side wall from left hand.

He had a waste cloth, with a sharp nail kind of instrument, fixed into it. I knew something was wrong, but kept silent to catch him red handed and teach him a lesson.

After inspection, he showed me two punctures, one in thread and one in side wall. He safely landed the cloth he had, inside the drawer.

I angrily, went inside, opened the drawer, picked up the cloth and called the cops (100). I immediately called my assistant and a friend to the spot. Cops arrived to the spot, I narrated the incident with evidence to them. (He got a nice slap from the cop)

I demanded a new tyre right away, he said, he would repair, I adamantly demanded a new tyre and to be fixed immediately.

Sent my friend along with cop and culprit to nearby store, there, he fixed a new yoko Earth1 and paid for it.

More than the tyre, I was happy that he lost money and respect.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Someone dropped in an email offering a "Paid BH Registration" service.

GTO shared this with other enthusiasts.

Can one blame the government for getting stricter & stricter? We have seen big industrialists default on TDS payments. We have seen airline CEOs throw lavish parties on yachts, while their air hostesses & aircraft engineers didn't receive salaries for months. India is home to thousands of GST scams.

Before blaming the government, we should take a long hard look at ourselves too.

Someone dropped in this email offering a "Paid BH Registration" service to BHPians. I am going to blank the details out, but just showing the kind of scams happening in India. Hopefully, such a thread helps the government nab such scamsters.

Source

Dear Team-BHP, I am XXX XXX, living in XXX, Gujarat. I have been in the IT industry for the last XX years, working for MNCs like Microsoft.

I'm now running my own software company. I’ve been following Team-BHP since the early 2000s, and all my car purchases so far have been based on the reviews and forum discussions on Team-BHP. So, thank you, Team-BHP!

I'm writing to offer a paid service for BH-series registration for Team-BHP members and their friends / families. My company employees are eligible for BH-series because our company is registered in 4 states with separate GSTs. I did that because I wanted a BH-series number for our recent XXXXXXXX (note from GTO = It's a luxury car costing 90-lakhs OTR). Unfortunately, the company's directors (I am) cannot avail of this facility. It is open only to the employees of the company. I offer this facility to Team-BHP members and their friends and families - to get BH-series RC using my company on a payment basis. The one-time fee we will charge for one registration is INR 50,000 or 3% of the car's ex-showroom price - whichever is higher.

Following are the steps to get BH-series via our company:

1. The interested person enrols in our online software training course by paying 99k (fully refunded) our BH-series fee.

2. We hire the person after completion of the course as an expert consultant, drawing a salary of 33k per month. The person continues the current job as well (note from GTO = their company further gets a tax benefit on this salary paid, making their actual fee higher than the 50k stated earlier).

3. As our company employee, the person buys the vehicle and applies for BH-series from Gujarat (we recommend Gujarat, as it is easy to get BH-series here). Our company provides all requisite documents.

4. The person gets the 99k paid back in three months as a monthly salary of 33k. If the BH-series number is successfully obtained, the person can optionally exit the company. Otherwise, the person can pay 99k for another course and remain on the payroll by getting 33k for another three months (note from GTO = more benefits for their company).

5. If the BH-series request is rejected, the company refunds the course fee (99k) BH-series fee, deducting only 5000 as incidence expenses.

Please let Team-BHPians contact me at XXX@XXXXXX.com or WhatsApp/call me at XXXXXXXXXX for further details.

Thanks,

XXXXXXXXXX

Director, XXXX

Regd. Offices in 4 Cities

Here's what BHPian Axe77 had to say on the matter:

This is so disappointing. Not surprising though. But disappointing nevertheless, like many other things.

In order to protect against the most egregious mischief makers, rules unfortunately wrap around the genuine cases also into a plethora of impossible paperwork.

Some of the conditions that I see in the new MH circular are clearly protecting against some of these aspects - like financial ability to buy a vehicle for instance so the reverse structuring is not done - i.e. an eligible BH employee buys a benami car for someone else. But some of the other conditions are still plain overreach and seem to be from the basic objective of preventing the loss of upfront registration revenue.

The next step might even be scamsters making this promise and relieving other aspiring scamsters of their money by asking for some payment upfront. The cycle will be properly complete then.

Here's what BHPian saket77 had to say on the matter:

This BH series registration mechanism is anyway not fair in my opinion. The Govt. cannot discriminate people based on their employment. I simply cannot get my head around this fact that a system like this exists. We need a simpler mechanism in place which gives hardly any benefit to the car owners to register their cars out of state.

I would NOT say that all states should charge the same road tax because states like KA, MH etc offer lots of good employment opportunities to people and states should have an incentive for that compared to places like BR, JH, WB etc. But it is upto the Govt to find a better way out than giving preferential treatment to some people only because either they are Central Govt employees or their employer has multi-location offices.

Here's what BHPian anjan_c2007 had to say on the matter:

Fishy and quite a fly by night operator here who represents XXXXXXXXXX as Director, XXXX with allegedly Regd. Offices in 4 Cities.

• Now with a salary of 33K a month (will be fired after 3 months) if someone buys even a Creta, would the Income Tax deptt not pounce upon him?
• This Director overtly appears "selfless" doing good and only good for others by offering them BH registrations though he is himself not eligible.
• To me, even if we bhpians dismiss the offer as a potential scam and trap to avoid landing in trouble, there are hundreds who could make a beeline for the "modest" offer by this Director.
• I can surely foresee that this Director who has four offices in India, would generate much, much more turnover and profits through this fraudulent BH business than whatever his core business domains are.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Not all, but sometimes, petrol pump attendants might try to scam you. Be cautious, and always ask for a bill, so you can rattle the scamsters.

BHPian callmeneo recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Scam attempted: Failed.

Location: Sukhwani Petroleum(Indian Oil Petrol Pump), Wakad, Pune

Was at the above mentioned pump to tank up.

The car in front had filled for 500 and had left. I had pulled the lever and was walking towards the lid when the attendant acted as if he had filled some fuel and was waiting for my input. I ignored it and then asked him to do a tankful until auto cut off. 

Once the cut off happened, he coolly took out his calculator and added the full tank amount and 500 and i immediately asked if he was adding 500 as tips?

He said "nahi sir ,aapke diesel ka hai". 

I said "itna diesel tho gaadi mein bhi nahi hai".

But he kept on saying its mine . And i said "andar se bill leke ayiye" so that i can have a look at the time and that is when he cracked and said "haan sir pehle gaadi ka hai".

I did not pursue the matter further and left it there as it was late in the night.

Click here to read what other BHPians had to say about this topic.

It happened on a highway while I was travelling with my family. The puncture repair guy tried to keep the screwdriver with him but I threw it away into a ditch.

BHPian maheshm619 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

This incident happened to me on 31st Dec '23. Yes, my last puncture of the previous year. We were happily cruising to Udaipur and were about to reach Kota in an hour. Around 10am, the TPMS (aliexpress one) gave an alarm in the rear right tyre of a rapid air loss. 34 psi to 24 psi in 2-3 seconds, drove me onto panic mode.

On inspection, I could hear the sound of air gushing through and a huge nail jutting out of the tyre. Some petrol pump staff nearby told of a puncture shop 300 meters ahead.

While fixing the puncture the object was a portion of a screwdriver and made a huge hole in tyre. The puncture-wala was trying to retain the metal bit with him, which I managed to throw away into a ditch. Wasted 40 minutes and 200 rs and I was off.

While I thanked my stars that the puncture didn't appear in the early morning while I was driving through remote areas in thick fog with family, the behavior of the puncture guy, and the proximity of his shop, gave an impression that the item was planted.

Here's what BHPian vaibhavyagnik had to say about the matter:

The same thing happened to me! My tyre was punctured by a screwdriver with the screwdriver still in the tyre when I reached the puncture shop. My screwdriver though was very bent and I thanked God that it had not caused a crack in the alloy.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I saw that the guy was applying the same trick to an Innova owner.

BHPian abhishek_hch recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Recently my one-and-a-half-year-old Kushaq, driven 12,000 km had a puncture. The instrument cluster showed a pressure loss warning right as I stepped out of my society and I had parked the car in my basement. I was using my air-filling machine to maintain the pressure after every 2-3 days.

After a week or so, I went to a tyre shop near Kundanhalli gate to get it fixed. I was asked to wait for 45 minutes then I left. I drove around looking for a puncture guy and finally parked at one between Hoodi metro station and the Kia showroom in Whitefield. The guy asked me to rotate the wheel. I went in and did that. After I came back, he showed me a nail in the tyre and also, 3 small punctures on the side wall. I was a bit stunned to see the side wall punctures & was left wondering how it happened. Anyway, I got them fixed and went home thinking that the tyre would now need to be immediately replaced (pic attached).

However, I kept thinking of it. It didn't fit in my mind that a tyre with four punctures kept a significant amount of pressure for 2-3 days. I went back and asked him if he did some foul play with the car - he denied it.

A week after this, I started for my morning run late, around 9.30 am. I usually cross that place on my run. As I approached the place, I saw that the guy was applying the same trick to an Innova owner. The Innova guy was rotating the wheel and lo! This guy had placed a Muslin cloth on the tyre and made 2 punctures on it right in front of my eyes. I don't carry my mobile while running else would have filmed it!

I told this to the Innova owner. The puncture guy simply refused. Same case - one nail and two punctures made by this guy. I asked the puncture guy to test the tyre. He started throwing normal water on it. When I asked him to throw water with detergent, he said this was sufficient. Even the Innova owner started getting impatient. I left and continued with my run. I found a Kirana shop near the Hoodi metro station and bought a pouch of shampoo. Came back and asked the Innova guy to ask the shop owner to throw it at the tyre after mixing water. He did that and lo! the punctures were there where I was saying.

The car owner got angry and a verbal fight ensued. I kept telling the guy to lodge a police complaint and that I would be the witness. He kept on hanging it on fire. So I left for the run. While I was returning, I saw the Innova owner go. He had kept the puncture guy's phone. Perhaps they had some agreement about the replacement of the tyre. I was super angry with this person. I helped him to protect others but he took care of his own case and ran away.

Anyway, I learnt a lesson - never let anyone come near your tyre without them being in complete sight. I hope my experience helps everyone. Knew a bit about tyres, so changed tyres but for the more gullible junta, this can be the difference between life, injury or perhaps even death.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

He mentioned that some drivers filed police complaints as well but the gang operating this change their place of operation every now and then.

BHPian Knox88 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I would like to narrate the incident happened with one of my friend while returning from Gujarat to Banglore, via a stop in Pune. He is a frequent traveller between Nasik-Anand (GJ)-Ahmedabad route and a very experienced driver. I had asked him to go through this thread for his Journey from Banglore to Ahmedabad via Mumbai and return.

The incident happened on a Pune-Banglore highway around 1.30 PM on 2nd Jan, 2024 near Jambhulwadi lake after Pune. He drives Ford Ecosport Diesel (GJ Passing).

"I was driving from Mumbai to Pune with my wife and a kid. A biker drove parallel to my car on highway (After crossing Pune) and started indicating something.The bike tried to stop on the bridge claiming there is a puncture which I did not feel as I was cruising. When I stopped on the bridge, I heard the air hissing out. I couldn't find anything stuck in the tyre. But there were multiple punctures. I stopped right after the bridge near NH4 tea stall where there was a makeshift puncture shop located very conveniently with few bikers (not professional bikers) resting. It was all set up. The puncture shop guy did not have a jack even and asked me to open the trunk searching for some "tools".

When I told them there are so many punctures, lets just change with stepney. However, they were reluctant and were pushing for a sale of solvent. This is the location of [Puncture Shop -Scam]

There's one more puncture shop a couple of hundred meters away from this is also run by the same group of people. I sensed something is off and got away with this; finally stopped after 5 km near one garage.The mechanic there confirmed that it's a very common experience for the other state vehicles especially if they're travelling with family. The gang wont repair punctures but try to sale the sealant which repairs multiple punctures. He couldn't find any reason for the punctures in my the tyre.

He mentioned that some drivers filed police complaints as well but the gang operating this change their place of operation every now and then."

The location of the incident happened highlighted in below image.

Has anyone heard of such incident? What could be the cause of multiple punctures? Please be cautious!

Here's what BHPian VWguy had to say on the matter:

I've experienced similar bikers around the same area last year in September.

Fortunately, I decided to not stop immediately, but after a few kms. Thankfully, my tires were alright.

Maybe they have dropped multiple nails just after the bridge on the leftmost lane, expecting drivers to stop there after the warnings from the bikers. I survived, as I stopped on the left lane much later after the gestures from the bikers.

I think ignoring them is the best way possible and once you see them, try to drive in the rightmost lane to avoid any punctures.

Here's what BHPian lionell had to say on the matter:

Absolutely right. I have travelled frequently via this route from 2020 to 2022 and just after crossing Pune there is a toll booth, the bikers operated before the booth and after.

As described, the biker would ride parallel to the car and indicate that my wheel was wobbling with hand gestures or keep pointing to the front tyres. Since I've lived in Pune before I know of these incidents having heard them many times from fellow motorists. Some naive folks stop ahead and fall prey.

I suggest to zoom forward, show them the finger and take a wise decision. If you feel there is something wrong, it's best to stop much ahead at a pump and check.

Here's what BHPian maheshm619 had to say on the matter:

Happened to me back in 2016. I think the area was the same. Is the puncture shop located at a slight incline and has a few tin sheds made side by side ?

In my case , I had multiple punctures in one tyre. The scammer was adamant in selling a sealant product as he claimed it will seal from inside. Their modus operandi is to lure the prey to one corner, while an accomplice sneaks to another side of car and pokes multiple holes to tyre. This all happens very quickly. A video of this incident is available in youtube when a biker got all of this recorded in a helmet action cam.

I was a new car owner and stupid at that time to realize all of this was a scam and lost money equivalent to a new tyre price.In addition to this I had parked the car , in morning , at a place where there were sharp pieces of windshield glass from an earlier accident , which made me believe all of it was real.

Here's what BHPian micky had to say on the matter:

I had the same experience in 2016. The bikers waving that there's something wrong with the tyre. I was travelling with my wife and mother. I didn't find anything wrong but still decided to go to the puncture shop as I was heading to mahabaleshwar and didn't want to take a risk. The puncture guy told me the tyre had 9 punctures on the sidewall and charged 900 for it.

My sense is that either the bikers do it at the midway or the puncture guy only does it when he comes to check.

After this I never stopped at these places again. Best way is to ignore and move on.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

IOC has a precise online monitoring system to prevent scams and they are ensuring that even remote stations are hooked up to the system.

BHPian thirdmainroad recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Been meaning to do a filter paper and quantity check at the IOC petrol bunk I frequent. Got around to doing it today. I went in with guns blazing, expecting to face resistance for asking to do so. To my surprise they immediately agreed and the pump attendant came back with the manager, a filter paper and a 5 liter can in no time. The manager and the attendants were really quite excited and happy that I had asked for the test and went about the testing process.

I tested on XP95, which I usually fill. The filter paper test seemed to pass with flying colours - there was not even an inkling of a stain on the paper. The next test, the 5 liter test also passed with flying colours and the quantity touched the five liter mark to the dot!

The manager then requested they take a photo of me getting the tests done. He lamented that not enough people ask for the test, and even when they request customers to let them test in front of them, customers run away saying they are in a hurry.

As Team BHPians - we do represent a bit of the elite - tech savvy, educated, can I request all of you to do these tests once in a while as responsible citizens?

That said, the manager of the bunk I tested at told me about how difficult it has become for retail outlets to cheat with quality and quantity as IOC has a precise online monitoring system now and they are ensuring that even remote stations are hooked up to the system. He also said that IOC has very frequent surprise checks - infact they had been subjected to two tests in one week very recently.

Bunk where I had tested - IOC bunk at Vettuvankeni, next to SBI bank, opposite Buhari, Chennai, ECR.

I am now keen to test at more pumps, especially on the highway!

Here's what BHPian Shreyans_Jain had to say on the matter:

True. The entire system is automated and is monitored remotely, and there really isn't much scope for dealers to indulge in malpractice. At the same time, there can be genuine issues like water seperation from ethanol blended petrol.

Here's what BHPian vigsom had to say on the matter:

I've done a filter paper test once in Trichy in the 80s, but it wasn't until 2021-22 that I decided to do a can test, this time in Vadodara. I'd normally fill at a leading BPCL outlet in Alkapuri and never had complaints until that day when the pump was dispensing at approx. 20% of its normal rate because of some issue related to power supply. After I filled the typical quantity and left, I realized that the gauge hadn't responded proportionately. I say this 'coz I'd fill the same quantity at the same gauge level and knew how much the gauge should rise.

I returned after a 2km drive to tell them this in their office. The staff there were giving me the usual explanation about their Q&Q being perfect and that the gauge on my car was defective. I told them to reserve their intelligent judgements to themselves and asked to see the owner. He was a little more understanding and assured me there was no issue with their dispensing mechanism even at the lower rate. I however asked for five liters in their standard measure and told him I was willing to pay for that. He readily agreed and said that I needn't take those five liters. By that time, the dispensing was back to over half the normal rate, and although the can didn't take the full five liters (was probably short by approx. 200ml or so), I didn't take the case forward and left, realizing that it wasn't my day. I continued to visit the bunk thereafter and never had any issues, but that batch that I'd filled that day gave me approx. 10% lower range - same driver, same vehicle, same quantity, same traffic conditions. There definitely was some problem in dispensing/calibration but it wasn't my day so I couldn't prove it.

Here's what BHPian TejasV had to say on the matter:

SCAM ALERT: I know a team that does audit for company owned company operated (COCO) pumps and they say the local managements have become innovative in how the dupe - and its never by adulteration. They do it by reducing the amount of fuel dispensed by the machine. And they do not reduce fuel dispensing rates for for round figure litres.. like say 1 litre or 5 litres which you can fill in a bottle or can and check.

What they apparently do is to calibrate for lesser fuel dispensation for popular round figures of payment like Rs.1000 or Rs.500 etc. So instead of getting petrol worth Rs.1000 the machine dispenses maybe Rs.900 worth of fuel only and one way to overcome it is to pick an odd price like Rs.1550 worth of fuel or ask for exact number of litres worth of fuel it seems.

I think it is true as I was getting lower mileage when I filled for Rs.3000 in my car but didn't see a drop when I did a tankful.

PS: And they are always willing to test for purity or quantity with the one litre empty water bottle they have - so I think the modus operandi that the audit team has shared has some merit.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The company had promised returns of Rs 1.17 lakh per annum.

In 2021, the country was rocked by a Rs 15,000 crore 'Bike Bot' scam. It came to light when the Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) began its probe into the Noida-based bike taxi business.

According to the CBI, Sanjay Bhati was the mastermind behind the scam. Bhati, along with his wife, is said to have defrauded over 2 lakh investors. Here's how an attractive investment scheme turned into a nightmare for some.

In August 2010, Sanjay Bhati set up a real estate company by the name of Garvit Innovative Promoters Limited (GIPL). Through this firm, the couple launched 'Bike Bot' – a bike taxi business.

The scheme was simple, and seemed lucrative, offering a return of Rs 1.17 lakh per annum. An investor would pay Rs 62,100 for one bike. He/she would be paid an EMI of Rs 5,175 along with a fixed monthly rental of Rs 4,590 per bike. The company also promised to offer a monthly rental income bonus of 5% per bike and a matching income of 10%.

In 2018, Bike Bot introduced a similar scheme, this time for e-bikes. However, the subscription amount for electric bikes was almost double that of petrol bikes.

It is said that investors received returns till early 2019. However, as is with most scams, the repayments soon dried up. Reports suggest that the money collected from investors was diverted elsewhere and into purchasing assets.

After several complaints from investors, the CBI and Enforcement Directorate took up the matter and initiated a money laundering investigation. Sanjay Bhati has since been arrested, but his wife is absconding. The agencies have also attached assets worth Rs 216 crore.

Source: India Today

The attendants pull out the premium petrol pipe and insert it into the tank and try to start the process ASAP before you can notice.

BHPian ShreyG recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

New Scam Alert

I stay on Hosur Road beyond Silk Board. I have noticed that in the last 3-4 instances of filling up petrol, the attendants pull out the premium petrol pipe and insert it into the tank and try to start the process ASAP before you can notice. Fortunately I have the habit of getting down from the car or off the bike before they start filling up petrol and have been able to change from premium to regular. This, I have noticed has happened all the instances in the last month or so. Was not so since the 2 petrol pumps in my vicinity have been my regular pumps for the past 4 years. Is this happening else where in the city as well?

This is the Indian Oil petrol pump before More hypermarket. This was my regular previously, but now go to the IOCL on 19th Main in HSR layout or the one at the end of 19th Main next to ORR. Business as usual there.

Here's what BHPian Jaggu had to say on the matter:

You mean they force premium on unsuspecting customers? This is interesting and should be fun to see how Bangaloreans react to it.

Here's what BHPian outdoorlover had to say on the matter:

That's interesting! I stay on Hosa road, off Hosur road and haven't come across this yet. Could you please share which specific pumps have you experienced this?

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Went in to try XP95 - positive feedback on the fuel, but a bad experience at the petrol station.

BHPian swiftnfurious recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I usually stick to BP / Nayara in the city or even on highways and almost always avoid HP / IOC. However, a few friends gave very positive feedback on the XP95 and wanted to try this, so went to the IOC pump near the Chennai Airport (both BP & HP are also on the same line and all are COCO as I recollect).

Asked the attender to fill 10L in my Versys and the guy stops after filling 2L. I say it's 10L and

• He: "Thought you said 2L" (pretends to reset the meter and continues to fill).
• He: Cash or card? (distracts me from looking at the meter)
• Me: Card
• He: what card?
• Me: Hdfc
• He: Citibank has a lot of cash back
• Me: Ok

The pump shows 8L by now and he stops. I point it to him and he says he reset the meter after filling 2L and filled 8L after the reset.

Gave the card to him and he swipes for 10L worth. Asked for a bill and he prepares a handwritten bill. Told him I need the bill from the machine. He says no bills from the machine as we finished the fuel fill-up (the machine is yet to reset after mine). I asked him to meet the manager.

He is stuck now - calls his colleague to get the bill from the machine and the guy fiddles with it

• He: do you doubt me, sir?
• Me: Yes, I do! Get me the bill quickly.
• He: the bill has to be taken immediately after the fill, else can't get it.
• Me: I asked for the bill as soon as we filled up
• Colleague to attender: There is no bill for 10L, shows only 8L - why do u try these stunts in the morning?
• He: Sir - shall I fill 2 more litres
• Me: Yes, thank You

I read about a similar scam and one of the members mentioned the bill from the pump itself and today, I saved abt 250/- coz of that. This indeed is a helpful place

Here's what BHPian balenoed_ had to say on the matter:

A similar thing happened to me yesterday.

HP Pump, Mahadevpura, before Phoenix mall on the left side.

Told to fill it for Rs. 500. He stops at 400 and collects money. I gave 500 and he was still staring at me as if I did not understand what he did.

I told him, I told you to fill for 500. Sorry sir, I heard you say Rs.400.

Better go check your ears I told and give me the damn Rs.100/- back and gave him a mouthful.

Here's what BHPian Bh.P had to say on the matter:

^^ This is why when I am not filling a full tank, I ask for the amount in all languages (english, kannada, hindi, like 200 ruppes, innuri, do sau rupaye, and to add to it I also point the number of fingers, like 2 fingers for 200). Hoping they cannot claim they heard it wrong in all languages and also saw the wrong number of fingers. Never have been prey to this scam. I avoid filling in for 100 so I don't end up showing the wrong single finger.

Here's what BHPian negativeH had to say on the matter:

The exact thing happened to me: 11 pm in a relatively busy area of Delhi. I said Rs 2000 and he filled up Rs 200 and then apologized and blamed his hearing and took it up to Rs 1800, and claimed that's Rs 2000.

Typically, I am a casual person and might actually have let it go, but that day I was a bit pissed off for other reasons, so demanded the bill. He used the same excuse, no bill, machine reset blah blah. I said then what proof do you have that you have filled in petrol for 2000, why should I pay? A colleague of his showed up and apparently, they have some master meter/dispenser(?) which can always show how much is dispensed from which machine. This confirmed only 1800 worth of fuel was dispensed.

I lodged a complaint on the HP website a few days later. Attached is the bill. Received a follow-up from their Regional Lead the next day, and the Pump Manager. He showed me the CCTV footage of the scene to confirm this was the attendant and told me he would be let go since there have been other similar complaints like this about him. I received a follow call from the Regional Lead sharing the corrective action, and some apologies.

TBH, I don't think such scams are being practised by the Pump owners or managers. These are rogue operators, and calling them out and putting such things in writing (in the pump complaint book, or online) is the only way.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.