Wild gas station error saw people buying 220 gallons of gas for just $16 and it was all caught on camera
Published on Aug 24, 2026 at 6:39 PM (UTC+4)
by Alessandro Renesis
Last updated on Aug 24, 2026 at 6:39 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
A technical glitch at a gas station ended up getting someone around 220 gallons of fuel for just $16.
The whole thing was caught on camera and inevitably posted on social media.
However, this quickly led to backlash and a harsh reality.
Because this person’s luck may have been more short-lived than they bargained for.
Here’s what happened at the gas station that ‘glitched’
In 2021, a gas station in Finland malfunctioned and accidentally sold gas at around 1.4 euro cents per liter.
Basically, what happened was the comma that defined the price had moved, turning 1.40 euros per liter into 1.4 euro cents per liter.
As a result, filling up a virtual 1,000-liter tank only cost 14 euros.
Back then, at a normal price of €1.40 per liter, the actual charge should’ve been €1,400, not 14 euros.
Translated into dollars and gallons, that’s the same as filling up a 264-gallon tank at $16.50 instead of $1,650.
It was this person’s lucky day – except that it wasn’t.
People in the comment section were quick to point out why – and there was also something else going on.
There are nuances, but the law is clear
Generally speaking – as a universal rule of thumb – whether you get to keep stuff that’s given to you by accident is entirely up to the company that provided it.
But – and it’s a huge ‘but’ – if they want it back, you have to give it back.
If you don’t, depending on local legislation, it would amount to larceny or theft.
Or – if we wanted to use a more geeky legal term – it would constitute ‘unjust enrichment’.
Having said that, Finland is one of those countries where these things aren’t necessarily chased or handled in a litigious manner.
If the person was asked to pay the actual price – not the ‘glitchy’ discounted one – they’d probably have done it.
But this being Finland, it’s entirely possible no one batted an eyelid and the person just sort of ‘got away’ with it.
Alessandro is an automotive journalist with 10 years of experience covering supercars, automotive history, emerging vehicle technology, and luxury transportation. He wrote the first article published on SupercarBlondie.com when the website launched in 2022 and has since built a reputation for insightful reporting across the automotive and transportation industries. His expertise is grounded in hands-on experience. Alessandro has driven every Tesla model ever produced, from the original Roadster to the Cybertruck, and regularly covers the latest developments in electric vehicles and automotive innovation. His passion for transportation extends beyond cars, he has even flown a Boeing 787 Dreamliner simulator in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His reporting spans everything from classic American muscle cars and rare automotive discoveries to luxury yachts, private aircraft, high-end watches, and cutting-edge vehicle technology. Known for his deep knowledge of automotive history and ability to uncover the stories behind iconic vehicles, Alessandro brings readers a blend of historical context, technical expertise, and first-hand experience.
