Porsche owner flees without paying Dh260 fuel bill, caught in four days

Dubai: Chinese police recently tracked down a Porsche owner who fled a petrol station without paying, forcing a worker to cover the bill out of her own pocket, according to the South China Morning Post.

The incident occurred on March 12 at a petrol station along a highway between China’s Hubei and Shaanxi provinces. The driver was later exposed online by a station employee, identified by her surname, Song.

Surveillance footage showed the man refuelling his black Porsche, valued at $75,000, before attempting to leave without paying. The car had no visible licence plate.

Expecting him to settle the $70 (Dh260) bill, the on-duty female attendant instinctively removed the front barrier. However, the driver immediately got into the car and sped off, leaving her responsible for the payment, as per station policy, which requires employees to clear outstanding bills before ending their shift.

Song, who earned just $390 the previous month and supports two daughters, decided to post the footage online in an attempt to identify the culprit.

Within four days, police tracked the man down in Shaanxi province. Initially, he tried to evade consequences by apologising and offering to reimburse the petrol station. However, authorities insisted he report to the station for questioning.

While he eventually transferred the owed amount, law enforcement proceeded with an investigation. Meanwhile, the petrol station company has since reimbursed Song for the amount she had covered.

The case highlights the financial vulnerabilities faced by low-wage workers and the power of social media in seeking justice.