Veeramani, a social media influencer from Madurai, Tamil Nadu, received expensive fake online orders worth lakhs of rupees ahead of Diwali. Instead of sweets he requested, his followers sent him cash-on-delivery orders for items including a television priced at ₹1.69 lakh, refrigerators, washing machines, and smartphones, according to livemint.com.
The prank began after Veeramani shared his contact details and address on social media, asking for boxes of sweets. His followers took the request literally but responded with a twist by placing numerous fake orders in his name. Delivery workers from platforms like Amazon and Flipkart repeatedly arrived with high-value items Veeramani had not ordered. He was unable to pay or provide OTPs required to accept the deliveries, causing distress and logistical challenges.
This incident highlights the risks social media influencers face when sharing personal information publicly, especially during festive seasons like Diwali when online shopping surges. Fake orders and harassment through cash-on-delivery scams can impose significant financial and emotional burdens. The episode also underscores vulnerabilities in e-commerce delivery systems where orders can be placed without the recipient’s consent.
Veeramani made an emotional appeal in a video asking those responsible to stop placing orders, stating, “I fall at your feet. Please stop placing orders.” He described the ordeal of managing continuous deliveries and calls, saying, “Whether I switch my phone off or keep it on, there’s a problem,” as reported by livemint.com.