Madurai, October 14, 2026: A social media influencer from Madurai named Veeramani has reportedly been targeted by an online prank after sharing his phone number and home address on Instagram in the hope of receiving Diwali sweets from his followers. Instead of festive gifts, he allegedly began receiving high-value cash-on-delivery (COD) orders for electronic appliances and smartphones that he says he never purchased.
The unwanted orders reportedly included televisions, refrigerators, washing machines and smartphones, with one television alone priced at approximately ₹1.69 lakh.
Diwali Request Turns Into Online Harassment
The incident began when Veeramani shared his personal details on Instagram and invited followers to send him sweets for Diwali.
However, the situation took an unexpected turn when delivery personnel started arriving at his home with expensive products he had not ordered. What may have started as an online prank soon became a source of repeated disruption and distress.
₹1.69-Lakh Television Among Unwanted Orders
Among the reported deliveries was a television worth around ₹1.69 lakh. Other orders allegedly included smartphones, refrigerators, washing machines and additional household appliances.
The expensive items created a difficult situation for Veeramani, who maintained that he had not placed the orders and had no intention of paying for them.
Veeramani Appeals to Followers to Stop
As the deliveries continued, Veeramani reportedly posted videos appealing to those responsible to stop placing fake orders in his name.
He explained that the repeated visits were causing problems for him as well as delivery executives, who had to transport expensive products to his address only to discover that the orders were unwanted.
Around 15 Orders Reportedly Arrived in Half an Hour
In one of his appeals, Veeramani said approximately 15 orders had arrived within around 30 minutes.
He expressed concern over the volume of deliveries and said he could not afford to pay for products he had never ordered. His appeal highlighted how quickly the misuse of publicly shared personal information can escalate into a serious inconvenience.
Cash-on-Delivery Orders Create Confusion
The use of the cash-on-delivery system added to the difficulty. Under COD arrangements, payment is generally collected when an order is delivered.
Veeramani said the products were not ordered by him and that he had not provided the OTPs required to complete the deliveries. Nevertheless, repeated delivery attempts reportedly continued, creating confusion and inconvenience at his home.
Influencer Says He Is Leaving Home Temporarily
The situation reportedly became so overwhelming that Veeramani said he was temporarily leaving town.
The repeated deliveries and resulting interactions with delivery personnel had caused considerable distress, according to his public appeals.
Exaggerated Claims About a Tank and Rocket Circulate Online
The incident also prompted exaggerated claims on social media suggesting that unusual items, including a military tank, an ambulance and a rocket, had been ordered in Veeramani’s name.
However, such claims should be treated cautiously. Reports indicate that these posts circulated online, but they have not established that the items were actually ordered or delivered.
Delivery Workers Also Affected
The episode has affected more than the influencer. Delivery executives were reportedly sent to his address with costly products they expected to deliver, only for the orders to be refused.
Such incidents can waste workers’ time, complicate delivery operations and create unnecessary disputes between customers and delivery personnel.
Incident Raises Concerns About Online Privacy
The incident serves as a reminder of the risks associated with publicly sharing personal information on social media.
Home addresses and phone numbers can potentially be misused for fake purchases, impersonation, harassment and other forms of online abuse. Users are therefore advised to avoid posting sensitive contact details publicly and to use safer alternatives when communicating with followers.
A Festive Request Turns Into a Digital-Safety Warning
What began as a request for Diwali sweets has reportedly turned into an unsettling experience for Veeramani. The episode highlights how online pranks can have real-world consequences for individuals and the workers involved in fulfilling orders.
It also underlines the importance of responsible online behaviour and protecting personal information, particularly during periods when social media activity and festive interactions increase.
Source – The Indian Express, India Today, NDTV
Supreme News Network
