❝Car Puncture Scam:

Last Wednesday, Jul 08, 2015 I was travelling with my family to Sinhgad, Pune with my Chevvy Beat. As I crossed the expway and reached Pune, near Wakhad bridge; 2 bikers overtook from left side and indicated that my car wheel is punctured, first I ignored, then I felt, they may be good citizens (mistake-1) and possibly wheel has low pressure I put my car window down and looked, but could not see it properly. I decided to stop near puncture wala shop for hassle free wheel replacement; if required. I stopped near Wakahad bridge, Pune, and asked a puncture wala to check for air pressure. I was standing next to him to watch the pressure, 3 radials having good and when he was about to check the 4th one, I rush to my daughter as she was calling me (Mistake-2). Meanwhile Puncture wala called me and said, “Saab isme 5 point pressure hai, puncture hai banana padega (Sir, this wheel has low pressure and it must be checked for puncture)” I agreed with his point (Mistake-3) as I din’t have option.
He put car on jack and removed wheel and passed onto the another guy-2, The first guy engaged me in discussion of car excel rusting, bla..bla and I also involved in the discussion (mistake-4), after some moment the Guy-2 called, Sir puncture dekh lijiye (Sir, please come and see the puncture), he told 1 puncture repairing would cost 120 bucks, I said okay. He started putting water over tube-less tyre, (a simple method to detect puncture) there was 1 puncture, he repaired, then he found 2nd, he repaired, then 3rd….4th…5…6…7…..8 Somehow, he found 21 punctures, including 4 in the sidewall and a punctured valve as well, my god. I asked why so many, he simply answered, “Saab aapne kam hawa me chalaya na (Sir, you run you car in low pressure). He repaired it one by one, If I could know the total number first, I would have stopped him for repairing. The total cost was around 2650/- (after bargain) , somehow I managed in 1500 bucks and gave (mistake-5), he fix the wheel on car and I left.

When I came back home, I felt something wrong happened with me and I googled keyword like “Puncture Scam in Pune etc”, My God there are hundreds of such scam and I started reading it one by one. Similar incident happened with so many people in that spot. The best part, I could capture the image of the guy, (as m photographer by hobby, and want to capture moments for my personal travel blog).

These are actually gang, operating in group, including those bikers and their modus operandi is simply engage you in discussion and other guy damages the tyre.

I also read there are 3 methods which they use to show you puncture:

1. Putting pointed object in tyre, while other guy keep you busy in technical discussion.
2. Spread ENO over tyre, so after applying water, ENO start releasing gas (CO2) and you misinterpret it.
3. They fill pressure >50-70psi, so micron size hole, became visible.

In my case, it may be 3rd one.

I realized, I was victim of such scam. For 1500/- that guy has damaged my car tubeless tyre, which is just 4 month old. How >20 puncture in tube-less tyre.
The lessons I got are these:
1. Never believe, if any unknown person indicates for low pressure (stop car in crowd place and get it checked by yourself)
2. Always fill air in reputed shop/petrol pump or shop of your known.
3. If you find low pressure, just use the stand-by wheel OR always stand near the wheel while puncture wala checking it.
4. Before they emerged tyre in water for puncture, check pressure (Ideal 35psi).
5. Report such scam.

I am sharing this Incident, so you should also take care when such incident happens. Share, for awareness.❞