Cheats at the pump could now face criminal prosecution

Instead of fines or business license suspensions, petrol station proprietors in Vietnam who defraud their customers could now face criminal prosecution. Science and Technology Ministry Chief Inspector Tran Minh Dung said more severe punishments were needed as unscrupulous practices have become more sophisticated and widespread. A petrol station chiseling just 5% for a liter, or 550 dong (US$0.03), can illegally earn five million dong (US$294) from the sale of 10,000 liters. The change causes the amount of petrol shown on the pump to be higher than the actual amount provided to customers. (December 31, 2008)