03-05-2025
Petrol pump owners threaten to stop digital payments over bank account blocks
Nagpur:
Petrol pump owners
in Nagpur have threatened to stop accepting all forms of digital payments—including UPI and card transactions—from May 10. With nearly 60% of
fuel payments
now made online, the boycott is expected to cause significant inconvenience to the public.
The Vidarbha Petroleum Dealers Association (VPDA) stated that petrol pump owners have been facing financial hardship due to a rise in
cyber fraud
cases. The decision follows recent incidents in which the bank accounts of several petrol pump owners were either blocked or placed under lien.
"These days, fraudsters often hack card or net banking credentials and use them to shop or buy fuel. When a complaint is filed, the police respond by blocking transactions. As a result, a lien has been marked on the bank accounts of nearly 30 petrol stations, and in two cases, the accounts were completely blocked," said Amit Gupta, president of the Federation of All Maharashtra Petroleum Dealers Association (FAMPEDA).
Gupta emphasised that petrol pump owners suffer financial losses despite having no involvement in the fraud. "Fraudsters also use stolen credentials to shop on e-commerce platforms. Yet, no liens are ever placed on the accounts of those companies," he pointed out.
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The dealers are demanding fair and equal treatment. Memorandums have been submitted to the district collector and DCP Lohit Matani, who heads the cyber cell. A communication has also been sent to the Union ministry of home affairs through the Chamber of Associations of Maharashtra Industry and Trade (CAMIT), he said. Petrol pump owners are now awaiting a response from the government.
Gupta added that digital transactions at fuel outlets will only resume if the government provides adequate assurance regarding protection against such cyber frauds.
"As per protocol, all related bank accounts are frozen once a probe into cyber fraud cases begins. If an individual believes they are not directly involved in the fraud, they can either challenge the action in court or submit a letter to the cyber cell," DCP Lohit Matani said.
