World · India Bureau
Madurai influencer's Diwali gift appeal backfires with costly appliance orders
An Instagram influencer in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, shared his address hoping to receive festive sweets during Diwali, only to have high-value appliances including refrigerators, air conditioners, and televisions delivered to his home as cash-on-delivery orders.
LSN India ·

Veeramani, a social media personality based in Madurai, appealed to his followers on Instagram for Diwali gifts ahead of the festival celebrations. In what appeared to be a lighthearted request, the influencer shared his residential address with his online audience, anticipating traditional sweets and festive tokens of goodwill.
Instead of the expected treats, Veeramani's home was inundated with delivery orders for expensive household appliances. Multiple cash-on-delivery packages containing refrigerators, air conditioning units, and television sets began arriving at his doorstep, creating a logistical nightmare and substantial financial complications for the influencer.
The coordinated prank, apparently orchestrated by multiple individuals, forced Veeramani to take drastic measures to resolve the situation. Overwhelmed by the mounting orders and associated complications, the Madurai resident reportedly considered leaving the city to escape the fallout from his appeal.
The incident highlights the potential risks of sharing personal information on social media platforms and demonstrates how requests for engagement, however well-intentioned, can be exploited by users. It serves as a cautionary tale for content creators and public figures regarding privacy and the unpredictability of online interactions during festive seasons when such appeals are common.