Chips tamper petrol flow

Hyderabad: The frequent raids on petrol pumps in the city started with the Cyberabad Special Operation Team busting a gang which had installed specially designed integrated circuits (chips) in the fuel dispensing machines of 10 petrol pumps to tamper with the display of the machines.

An probe revealed that the main agent of the gang, Shibu K. Thomas, a Keralite who brought the technology to the city, had almost 600 chips with him. Shibu got it made through another Maharashtra based mechanic, and sold it to the five intermediaries in Hyderabad and other districts. Investigating officials said that the 600 chips were ready to be sold to petrol pump owners across the state. They said that Shibu, who is settled in Mumbai, had already sold many chips to petrol bunk owners in other states including Maharashtra.

Kukatpally inspector Chandrakant who is investigating the case said that the person who designed the chips is still absconding and his arrest could unearth a huge scam.

“We are searching for the people who sold these ICs to Shibu,” he said, adding that the chips were distributed through a network of mechanics. Shibu came into contact with Mudhana Kalyan, who worked in a petrol pump in Vijayawada. Kalyan started installing it in pumps in Vijayawada and soon it spread to other places. They took Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000 from each pump owner to install the chip,” said an official.
If these chips are installed, the fuel dispensed and money displayed would be tampered, officials said.