Influencer Veeramani says pranksters used his publicly shared address to send televisions, smartphones and appliances to his home, forcing him to plead: “Please stop ordering”.
A social media post in Madurai that was meant to attract festive goodwill instead spiralled into a string of fake cash-on-delivery orders, leaving influencer Veeramani fielding repeated deliveries of goods he says he never requested. According to Business Today, the parcels ranged from everyday groceries to high-value electronics and home appliances, including televisions, smartphones, refrigerators and washing machines. Other Indian outlets said the orders were triggered after he shared his address online while asking for Diwali sweets.
Among the most costly items was a television said to be worth ₹1.69 lakh, with delivery staff reportedly arriving at his home expecting payment on delivery. Veeramani said he could not take possession of the parcels without paying or confirming an OTP, the one-time passcode used to authorise many online transactions. Moneycontrol, NDTV and The Times of India reported that he claimed the barrage included more than 500 fake orders linked to his address.
The prank quickly moved beyond inconvenience and into harassment, according to Live Mint and Gulf News, which reported that Veeramani eventually left his home after repeated visits from delivery workers. In follow-up videos, he appealed for the orders to stop, saying, “Please stop ordering”. He also said the disruption had left him distressed and unable to go about his normal life.
The episode later took a lighter turn when Instamart sent him prepaid gifts, including a mixer, speaker, stove, monitor and sweets, as part of its Quick India Movement sale, according to Business Today. The platform said those items were gifts rather than cash-on-delivery orders. Still, the episode has renewed attention on the risks of posting personal details online, particularly home addresses and phone numbers, which can be misused for harassment, fraud or other unwanted contact.
Disclaimer: This article is intended to inform and educate, not to recommend or endorse any financial product, investment or strategy. Please consider your own financial circumstances and seek professional advice where appropriate before making financial decisions.
