Problems With Brazilian Gasoline: Frauds and Adulterations Put Consumers' Wallets and Safety at Risk

Problems With Brazilian Gasoline: Frauds and Adulterations Put Consumers’ Wallets and Safety at Risk

Written by Bruno Teles

Published on 15/07/2025 at 19:38

Gasolina Brasileira: Os Golpes nos Postos e Como se Proteger

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From Adulterated Pumps to Payment Frauds: Know How Poor Quality and Illegal Practices Involving Brazilian Gasoline Affect Your Wallet and Safety, and What to Do to Avoid Being the Next Victim.

The simple act of refueling the car has turned into a minefield for the consumer. The problem with Brazilian gasoline goes far beyond the price at the pump; it involves a series of sophisticated scams that harm drivers, damage vehicles, and put everyone’s safety at risk. Data from the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) shows that reports of irregularities at gas stations have increased, revealing a troubling scenario.

While you think you are filling up the tank, you may be falling victim to frauds that range from the amount of fuel injected to the quality of the product. These schemes have evolved to the point of becoming nearly invisible, deceiving even regulatory authorities and demanding increasingly vigilant action from consumers to avoid financial and mechanical losses.

The “Open Bar” of Scams at Gas Stations

Frauds at gas stations are varied and can occur at any stage of the refueling process. Knowing the main ones is the first step in defending yourself.

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Short Pump (quantity fraud): This is the classic scam. The pump display shows one value, but the amount of fuel that enters your tank is much lower. In some cases, the difference can reach 15%, a silent theft that generates millions in profits for fraudsters. The fraud can be so sophisticated that the pump operates normally only during regulatory inspections.

Adulterated Fuel: Perhaps the most dangerous scam. Brazilian gasoline or ethanol is mixed with solvents, water, or even methanol — a toxic and prohibited substance. The result for your car is disastrous: clogged fuel injectors, corrosion of parts, and severe engine failures. The “Operation Low Pump,” from the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Rio de Janeiro, uncovered criminal networks that used methanol to reduce costs, endangering public health.

Payment Frauds and “Service Pushing”: The danger continues at the time of payment. Machines with altered displays or card cloning are common. Additionally, there is the scam of “unsolicited services,” where attendants perform unnecessary procedures and charge outrageous amounts, mainly targeting vulnerable consumers like the elderly. Extreme cases, such as an elderly woman charged R$ 8,000 for an oil change in Guarulhos, highlight the audacity of criminals.

The Damage to the Economy and Regulatory Response

Frauds at gas stations cause an estimated loss of R$ 5 billion per year to Brazilian consumers. This damage not only affects those who fuel their vehicles; it increases transportation costs and, consequently, the prices of almost all products and services.

Given this scenario, enforcement has intensified. In 2024, Law No. 14,874/2024 tightened the rules, and the ANP can impose fines of up to R$ 5 million and even revoke the operating licenses of repeat offenders. Regulatory actions are frequent throughout the country, yet violations continue:

In Vila Velha (ES), a gas station was fined for selling regular gasoline as if it were premium.
In São Paulo (SP), several recent operations resulted in dozens of gas stations being fined for pump frauds and quality issues.
In Pará and Goiás, establishments were caught selling fuel that did not meet legal specifications.

How to Protect Yourself When Refueling?

Although enforcement is active, the most effective protection starts with the consumer themselves. Maintaining a vigilant attitude can prevent significant losses.

At the Pump: Before refueling, check if the pump has an intact Inmetro seal and is within the validity period. Always ask the attendant to reset the display before starting. Be cautious of gas stations with prices significantly below the market average.

When Paying: Never lose sight of your card. Prefer contactless payment, which is safer. Before entering your PIN, double-check the amount on the machine’s screen and always ask for a receipt.

Regarding Quality: You have the right to demand the “proveta test” at the gas station to verify the ethanol content in Brazilian gasoline. The establishment is required to carry out the test in your presence. If there is a refusal, it is a strong indication of irregularity.

Regarding Reporting: If you suspect fraud, report it. The ANP accepts reports, including anonymous ones, via phone at 0800 970 0267 or through their official website. Apps like “Fala Consumidor” also facilitate the filing of complaints.

Have you ever experienced a suspicious situation at a gas station? How do you protect yourself? Share your experience in the comments.

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Problems With Brazilian Gasoline: Frauds and Adulterations Put Consumers’ Wallets and Safety at Risk

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Problems With Brazilian Gasoline: Frauds and Adulterations Put Consumers’ Wallets and Safety at Risk

From Adulterated Pumps to Payment Frauds: Know How Poor Quality and Illegal Practices Involving Brazilian Gasoline Affect Your Wallet and Safety, and What to Do to Avoid Being the Next Victim.

The “Open Bar” of Scams at Gas Stations

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For 45 years, Spain and Morocco have been trying to connect Europe to Africa through a project of just 14 kilometers in the Strait of Gibraltar, and an active tectonic fault on the seabed continues to make the project nearly impossible.

At just 14 years old, a boy creates a system without energy, using steel pipes buried in the ground, that irrigates seedlings with moisture from the air, to combat the water scarcity threatening reforestation in northern China.

Where there was only sand and wind at 40 degrees, China built a megacity of 500,000 inhabitants with farms, wineries, and universities in the middle of the desert using melted glacier water from hundreds of kilometers away.

A major turn in the Justice system suspends tax increases and directly impacts oil and gas companies in Brazil by affecting costs, contracts, and financial planning, leaving uncertain what could happen to the sector if these costs had increased.

In China, flying saucers are becoming ‘cars’ and taking to the skies with eVTOLs measuring 5.6 meters, capable of carrying 4 passengers, 1.2 tons, and more than 140 impressive flights in urban tests.

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