Preventing fuel thefts with an infrared curtain guard in Europe

Problem

The client, a company from Estonia, ships goods across Europe. The company wanted to prevent fuel thefts during cargo delivery, especially at nights when the driver was asleep.

The solution they had had before was not enough for fuel theft prevention. Actually, fuel thieves could drill a hole in the fuel tank, and then the company suffered losses both from the stolen fuel and the tank replacement. 

Even a single fuel theft cost a lot of money for the client. They could lose up to 3,800 euros for the fuel stolen, broken fuel tank repair, and penalty payable as a result of the late delivery.

Therefore, the company searched for another solution.

Solution

CarCops OÜ, an Estonian Wialon partner, created a fuel theft prevention solution specifically for this client. On the client’s five trucks, they installed infrared motion sensors that create an invisible curtain guard right in front of the fuel tank. If someone tries to approach the tank and enters the curtain area, an alarm goes off and wakes up the driver sleeping in the cab.

A 3D graphic simulation of the invisible infrared curtain

This is how CarCops’ specialists built the solution:

• They installed two infrared motion sensors, one on each side of the truck cab. As the sensors cover a narrow area of 50 cm, they are sensitive only to movements right in front of the fuel tanks. The system doesn’t start off when someone is just moving past the truck, without reaching the tanks.
  Unlike the ordinary fuel sensor, which was used earlier and could give a signal only when someone started draining fuel, the infrared motion sensor immediately activates an alarm if someone comes close to the fuel tank or starts drilling it.

An infrared motion sensor on the cab looking over on the fuel tank

• The infrared sensors are connected to a Teltonika FMB130 GPS-tracker that sends data about the sensor activity to the Wialon platform. There, operators can conveniently monitor whether the security is enabled.

• For the alarm module, the partner installed a standard 24V siren on the outside of the truck and inside the driver's cab.

• When someone comes close to the tank and the alarm is activated, Wialon sends a mobile notification to the driver and the logistics operator so that they can quickly react. Moreover, the sound of the siren itself scares off the villains.

• The drivers were also provided with a remote control for the fuel theft prevention system. They can easily disarm it or turn it on at night.

To facilitate use of the solution, CarCops made an instructional manual and created a short video highlighting the functionality and capabilities of the system. Additionally, the partner’s specialists trained the driver on how to operate the remote control.