Fuel Payment Mix-Up Resolved, But Journalist Faces Threat Over Report

An incident at a Petrochaco gas station in Carapeguá, Paraguay, initially appearing to be a fuel theft, has been resolved after the driver contacted the station and settled the payment. The driver had allegedly filled up a high-end Mercedes-Benz with 505,000 Paraguayan guaranis worth of fuel and left without paying, simulating a QR code payment.

The gas station's administrator, Evelina Benítez, had reported the incident, which was captured on security cameras and widely shared on social media, causing public concern. The footage showed a man driving and a woman who briefly exited the vehicle before they both departed the scene.

However, the gas station administration later clarified that the situation stemmed from a technical issue with their payment system, affecting card and QR code transactions. The customer subsequently made the owed payment, resolving the debt and preventing further action. The station expressed gratitude for public understanding and confirmed normal operations continue.

In a disturbing turn of events, a journalist in Carapeguá who reported on the initial incident faced a threat. An unidentified woman contacted the journalist via Facebook, demanding the story be removed from ABC Color within an hour, implying further measures would be taken if the request was not met. The journalist refused, stating the report was based on a formal complaint.