‘Watch before you get scammed’: Gurgaon man’s viral video reveals what not to do at a petrol pump tyre shop

A man from Gurugram has sparked widespread conversation online after exposing an alleged scam at a petrol pump tyre shop, a warning that has hit home for many Indian motorists.

Pranay Kapoor shared a now-viral video on Instagram, revealing how a routine tyre check turned into an Rs 8,000 mistake. His ordeal began when his car’s dashboard flashed a low tyre pressure warning. Expecting a quick fix, he drove into a nearby fuel station. But what happened next left him stunned.

At the petrol pump, an attendant offered to inspect the tyre. He lifted the car using a jack, sprayed soapy water on the tyre, and began scraping it right in front of Kapoor. A screw lodged in the tread was found, but then came more “bad news”.

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A post shared by Pranay Kapoor (@pranaykapooor)

The worker claimed there were three more punctures. Each, he said, would need a “mushroom patch” costing Rs 300. That brought the total repair bill to Rs 1,200 on the spot.

Feeling suspicious, Kapoor declined the repair and took the tyre to a trusted garage. There, a mechanic confirmed only one actual puncture. The other “holes”, he said, looked freshly made, likely with a sharp tool often used in such tyre scams.

With the tyre compromised, Kapoor had no option but to replace it entirely. The final bill? Rs 8,000.

“Don’t make the expensive mistake I made. Share this video with your friends and family to warn them,” he said in the video, titled "Got Scammed at a Petrol Pump Tyre Shop". The post quickly gained traction on Instagram, with many others coming forward with similar experiences.

The comments section was flooded with relatable stories.

“Oh shoot, this has happened with me at least thrice now over the past nine months!” wrote Sarthak Ahuja, a chartered accountant.

Another user added, “Wish I had seen this video yesterday. Same thing happened with me, ended up paying them.”

“Same thing happened with me in Bangalore and he charged me Rs 600 for each patch. Eventually had to change my tyre. I guess I was scammed too,” shared a third.

While not all fuel stations are involved in such practices, Kapoor’s video has cast a spotlight on a scam that appears more common than many thought. From Gurugram to Bengaluru, motorists say they’ve had similar run-ins with dubious roadside tyre repairs.