A family in Las Tunas fell victim to a scam after purchasing a gas cylinder for 50,000 Cuban pesos, only to find out it was filled with water. This incident, which quickly went viral, was reported on the Facebook group Revolico Buena Vista Las Tunas.
Desperate for a cooking solution amidst continuous power outages, the husband decided to buy the gas cylinder for home delivery.
The seller arrived with a scale, weighed the cylinder in front of the buyer, and everything seemed legitimate. The family used it sparingly over two weeks, preparing just three meals and six coffees. However, the stove suddenly stopped working.
Upon shaking the cylinder, the buyer noticed it was still heavy. Inspection unveiled the deceit: “It was a scam, and guess what the cylinder had? Water, a significant amount. It seemed to have just a bit of gas on top,” she wrote in her public complaint.
The situation also posed a safety risk for the family. “My magnetic stove could have backfired through the hose, and the faint flame could have caused an explosion inside. I thank God there were no severe damages,” the affected woman warned.
When she attempted to reach the seller, someone else answered, claiming they had recently bought that phone line. “They have everything planned,” the complainant concluded, ending her post with a warning: “Be very careful when buying street gas. These people have no scruples and don’t care if people or children could die. They only care about making money.”
Comments on the post revealed that this was not an isolated incident. “This is the new way to scam people. I’ve heard several people report the same,” a user wrote.
Another confirmed experiencing the same trick with a cylinder purchased from an official gas point, not on the black market. “It happened to me with a cylinder I bought at the gas point,” she recounted.
A commenter offered practical advice to detect such fraud: “Next time you buy gas cylinders, turn them upside down and open the valve. If there's water, that's what will come out.” Others highlighted the victims’ helplessness: “The most curious thing about these scam cases is that the police are not there to help the victim; quite the opposite.”
Widespread Gas Shortage Exacerbates Frauds
This scam has emerged amid a severe shortage. In January 2026, the government indefinitely suspended the distribution of liquefied gas in eastern provinces, including Las Tunas, due to supply issues.
This decision fueled the black market, where gas cylinders were sold for between 24 and 50 dollars as of June 2026. However, in this instance, the family paid even more.
The water-filled cylinder scam is just one of many gas-related frauds. In June 2026, scammers impersonated CUPET to sell fake cylinders through a fraudulent website and WhatsApp channels. In May, CUPET also warned about another fake website offering liquefied gas at prices ranging from 30 to 110 dollars.
“Who knows what sacrifices that man had to make to gather those 50,000 pesos,” summarized a commenter, encapsulating the human aspect of the scam and the frustration of countless Cubans facing similar desperation.
Understanding the Gas Cylinder Scam in Cuba
How did the scam in Las Tunas unfold?
A family purchased a gas cylinder, which was weighed in front of them to seem legitimate. However, it was filled with water, a scam exposed after the stove stopped functioning.
What risks did the family face due to the scam?
The family faced a potential safety hazard as the water-filled cylinder could have caused a backfire through the stove's hose, risking an explosion.
Why is there a gas shortage in Las Tunas?
In January 2026, the government halted the distribution of liquefied gas in eastern provinces, including Las Tunas, due to supply shortages, exacerbating the gas crisis.