New Delhi: In a shocking turn of events, a 45-year-old woman named Dawn Thompson, residing in America, managed to procure petrol worth a staggering Rs 22 lakh without spending a single penny. This extraordinary feat, achieved through a series of fortuitous events, has left many astonished and intrigued.The unveiling of a remarkable methodDawn Thompson frequented the same petrol pump in Nebraska daily, utilizing her loyalty cards to make payments. Little did she know that a software update in 2022 would inadvertently grant her access to free petrol. This inadvertent glitch in the system provided an unforeseen opportunity for customers with loyalty cards, allowing them to activate demo mode by swiping their cards twice. Consequently, all transactions processed during demo mode required no payment.Exploiting the oversightUpon discovering this loophole, Dawn Thompson seized the opportunity, repeatedly availing herself of free petrol without any deductions from her account. Astonishingly, she managed to refill her tank a staggering 510 times within a year, often visiting the petrol pump multiple times in a single day.Suspicions ariseAfter a year had passed, discrepancies in the petrol pumps records raised suspicions, prompting an investigation into the matter. It was revealed that Dawn Thompson had acquired petrol worth $27,000, equivalent to approximately Rs 22 lakhs, through this loophole. Surveillance footage captured her refueling at the station on numerous occasions, further corroborating the findings of the investigation.Legal ramificationsSubsequently, the owners of the petrol pump alerted the authorities, leading to a legal inquiry into the matter. Police investigations uncovered evidence of Dawn Thompson utilizing the reward card 510 times between November 13, 2022, and June 1, 2023. Another individual was also implicated in the misuse of the loyalty card. Despite facing legal repercussions, Dawn Thompson maintained her innocence, expressing a willingness to repay the full amount.The case of Dawn Thompsons unconventional acquisition of free petrol serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the importance of robust oversight and vigilance in commercial transactions. As the legal proceedings unfold, this incident underscores the need for businesses to implement stringent protocols to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
