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Investigation Exposes Alleged Fraud at Ipiranga Gas Station in Guarulhos: R$ 8,000 for Oil Change, Rigged Pumps, and Police Involved.
An unbelievable complaint arrived at Procon Guarulhos. An Ipiranga gas station allegedly charged R$ 8,000 to an elderly woman, Dona Noêmia, for a simple oil change. The case, which seemed like a scam, was not isolated.
Other consumers also reported abusive practices at the same location. A team from the regulatory agency, including Procon and the reporting team (Consumer Patrol), went to the investigated gas station.
The Complaint at Procon Guarulhos
Dona Noêmia, a 75-year-old woman, went to the Ipiranga gas station in Guarulhos just to refuel. She asked to check the oil. The oil change staff convinced her to have a service done. The final bill was R$ 8,000. Pressured, she ended up splitting the amount into four payments of R$ 2,000. Realizing she might have been a victim of a scam, she returned to the gas station.
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The oil change manager, Renato, admitted the staff’s mistake and promised to refund R$ 3,000. However, he only returned R$ 1,500 and began to stall to pay the remaining amount, even threatening her when she said she would seek her rights.
How the Fraud at Gas Stations Works: The Oil Change Scam
The complaints indicate a pattern of operation, configuring a fraud at a gas station. Oil change staff (outsourced service within the station) attend to customers, especially the elderly or women. They claim nonexistent or urgent mechanical problems. They use tactics like pouring water on a hot engine to simulate smoke.
They pressure consumers to accept unnecessary or excessive services and products (different oils, various additives, flushes). They charge exorbitant prices, often without providing a prior estimate. It is difficult or impossible to issue a specific receipt.
Multiple Victims, High Losses
In addition to Dona Noêmia, other victims came forward who were deceived by the gas station. Andreia was charged R$ 4,750 for services on her Ford Ka. She was with a friend and a newborn in the car and got distracted. They even charged her for injector cleaning, a service for which the authorized location lacks the tools.
Mr. Wilson, also elderly, worked to inflate the tires of his Honda Fit. They faked an oil leak and convinced him to have services done totaling R$ 6,706. They listed 9 liters of transmission oil, an amount that doesn’t fit in the car. Larissa’s mother was another victim, paying R$ 1,278. Procon estimated that the products listed for Dona Noêmia would cost about R$ 911 in the market.
Regulatory Inspection Reveals More Irregularities
During the inspection team’s visit to the gas station, other problems were found. Tests conducted by IPEM on the gasoline and alcohol pumps confirmed fraud in the amount of fuel delivered. The pumps dispensed between 1.4 and 1.6 liters less for every 20 liters, causing a loss of R$ 6 to R$ 7 for the consumer at that volume.
Deceptive advertising on posted prices was also identified. In the convenience store, several products were without prices, and the Consumer Protection Code was not available.
Confrontation at the Gas Station: Manager Stalling, Sealed Pumps, and Police Involved
Renato, the oil change manager, was confronted by the victims and the inspection team. Initially, he tried to blame former employees “greedy for commission.” He admitted the abusive price charged to Dona Noêmia, but hesitated to refund the entire amount. He made a PIX transfer of R$ 2,000 during the confrontation, using the gas station’s account, which raised more suspicions.
In light of the evidence of fraud in the pumps and the scams in the oil change services (possible fraud and crime against the consumer), the Civil Police were called. All gas pumps at the gas station were sealed by IPEM/Procon. The cashier Andrei was summoned to the police station to provide clarifications.
The Importance of Reporting Fraud at Gas Stations
The reported story was contacted by the management of Ipiranga. The company claimed to be unaware of the practices at the franchised station and does not condone them, hinting that it would love exceptions. Ipiranga also stated that it does not usually outsource oil change services. Cases like this highlight the importance of consumers being vigilant and reporting.
Any suspicion of abusive prices, unnotified services, or fraud at gas stations should be reported to Procon. Complaints help regulatory agencies (Procon, ANP, IPEM, Inmetro) to act and protect other consumers.
Mas, e o Renato? O que aconteceu com ele ? Ele juntamente ao Andrei, foram presos? Ou ainda estão em processo judicial?