Group of men ‘hack gas pumps with device to depress prices’ as fuel prices soar – World News

The men are said to have installed sophisticated “pulsators” in pumps that regulate the price and flow of fuel, with the device sending the price per liter down

Four men have been accused of installing a device on fuel pumps that brings the price down to pennies, a trend officials say will only spread if gas prices continue to rise.

The men are said to have installed sophisticated “pulsators” in pumps that regulate the price and flow of fuel, with the device sending the price per liter down, meaning they can fill up cheaply.

According to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), the scammers allegedly ran the program at two separate Circle K stations in Lakeland and Lutz, Florida.

Rogelio Llerena and Yulier Garcia-Martinez were arrested on Saturday, March 12, while stopping for gas in Lakeland, officials said.

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

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

Florida Department of Agriculture president Ned Bowman said skyrocketing gas costs have prompted scammers to make the most of the opportunity.

“These are criminal rings,” Bowman told the New York Post. “I think you’ll see how that expands.”

Mr Bowman added that scammers drive past compromised petrol pumps with large trucks with oversized tanks and fill up on the discounted fuel before selling it on for a hefty profit.

“It’s a big deal,” he added.

Law enforcement officials have warned service station owners to watch out for trucks that have stopped at pumps for an unusually long time.

“As gas prices hit record highs, fuel theft can further inflate costs for all consumers,” FDACS Commissioner Nikki Fried said in a statement.