Inspectors from the General Directorate of Consumer Protection, Competition and Fraud Repression (CCF) found 784 petrol stations and depots that were violating the law in regards to fuel quality and pricing this year.

Fines were imposed in 773 cases, while the remaining seven were serious enough to be sent to court.

CCF director-general Phan Oun told The Post on December 16 that of the 1,896 fuel dispensing businesses inspected by CCF officials throughout the country, 784 were found to be in violation of the consumer protection law. He said this indicated a very large problem with fraud across the sector.

“The [CCF] will continue to monitor and implement the most stringent legal measures against individuals and businesses that violate the law related to fuel stations throughout the country to prevent dishonest business practice and the exploitation of consumers,” Oun said.

CCF officials inspected 37 more fuel stations on December 14-15 in Kampot, Oddar Meanchey, Prey Veng, Preah Sihanouk and Kampong Speu provinces and found that 16 of them were violating the law.

CCF officials issued fines to the depot owners and instructed them to stop breaking the law or face larger fines, licence revocation and even prison term for the worst offenders

“During the operation, inspectors found more fuel depots that were not in compliance with the law. CCF officials then fined the operators and instructed them on how to conduct their business in accordance with the laws,” CCF’s press release said.