Complaint stirs inquiry, but HK pumps cleared

(China Daily)
Updated: 2007-01-17 08:58

Hong Kong customs found no evidence of filling station operators' rigging their fuel pumps to over-charge customers after examining 200 nozzles around the city.

The inspection was conducted after a pump at an ExxonMobil station was found dispensing 5 percent less fuel than the amount indicated by the meter. The discrepancy meant up to HK$30 ($3.85) of extra charge to customers. The customs found faulty pumps in the inspection but said it was because of mechanical wear. The officers saw no organized or intentional fraud, Commissioner of Customs and Excise Timothy Tong said.

(Wen Wei Po)