Lorries allegedly sell illegal diesel at carparks; various vehicles spotted refuelling

An advertisement that apparently promotes diesel at a price lower than the market rate has been circulating on social media recently.

The price indicated is $1.25 per litre - about $1 cheaper than the market rate - and drivers can allegedly refuel at selected carparks at any time of the day.

According to Lianhe Zaobao, the refuelling locations include carparks near Eunos Avenue 7 and Alexandra Road.

It was reported that a small lorry was spotted at the Eunos Avenue 7 carpark in January this year.

The lorry, which had a covered back, was allegedly carrying vessels filled with diesel.

At least seven or eight minibuses and heavy trucks were observed to refuel from the lorry while two men kept watch.

At the carpark near Alexandra Road, at least four minibuses and lorries were spotted to have refuelled from a similar lorry within two hours.

Each transaction lasted only a few minutes and the lorry doors closed immediately after completion.

A school bus driver who had refuelled from such lorries claimed that the diesel was of unknown origin and could contain impurities that would affect engine performance and even damage the machinery in the long run.

"Actually, after using it for a long time, I found that my vehicle had more problems, but the company provided repair insurance, so I chose the cheaper fuel," the driver told the Chinese daily.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force shared that it would investigate and take action on illegal refuelling activities promoted on social media.

Eight people have been taken to task in the past two years, fined between $600 and $3,100 for illegally refuelling at carparks.

In Singapore, illegally storing or dispensing petroleum and flammable materials at unlicensed premises is a fire safety violation punishable by fines up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment for up to six months.