Gas station pumps installed with software to reduce fuel dispensed
Greek police have announced that as part of an operation to dismantle criminal organizations involved in fuel smuggling and meter tampering, officers raided the offices of two computer programming companies, 44 gas stations, and seven homes early Tuesday.
A total of 61 people were arrested, including the leaders of two criminal organizations, while the case file includes an additional 35 suspects.
Investigations revealed that since September 2020, members of a technical support company for petrol stations had been recruiting station owners into a criminal network. Together, they manipulated fuel metering systems to deceive consumers and generate substantial illegal profits.
According to police findings, two companies specializing in technical support for petrol stations illegally supplied software that reduced the amount of fuel dispensed while still charging customers for the full quantity. This software also allowed station owners to control the extent of fuel reduction, typically set between 10% and 30%.
One of the criminal organizations, consisting of 57 members – 37 of whom have been arrested – was dismantled based on evidence gathered from interrogations and data analysis conducted by the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE).
The organization’s technical operations were managed by eight arrested members, all employees and technicians of the company. Among them was the company’s owner, a programmer who developed both input-output software and a “smart program” designed to bypass the tax system, preventing receipts from being issued.
The leader of a second criminal organization, who was also arrested, developed specialized software through a technical support company for petrol stations. Installed via a USB stick, this software, too, enabled station owners to manipulate fuel pumps and control the reduction of dispensed fuel.
According to the police investigation, both criminal organizations received monthly cash payments as a percentage of the illicit profits generated through the scheme.
A public prosecutor has filed six felony charges and one misdemeanor against the 61 individuals who were arrested. Additionally, the suspects face charges for the unauthorized modification and tampering of fuel pumps.
Authorities have discovered a total of 220 gas stations with tampered pumps, after initially identifying 44 stations with altered pumps, and also seized €500,000 in cash as part of the operation.
Kathimerini
