{
  "id": 14187301,
  "title": "Madurai influencer begs pranksters to stop fake COD orders worth millions",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/madurai-influencer-begs-pranksters-to-stop-fake-cod-orders-worth",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-13T10:51:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/india/madurai-influencer-begs-pranksters-to-stop-fake-cod-orders-worth-millions-1.500708804"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Madurai, Tamil Nadu, an Instagram influencer named Veeramani has pleaded with pranksters to cease sending unwanted cash-on-delivery (COD) orders to his residence. This solicitation originated from an online plea for Diwali sweets, which quickly escalated into a torrent of extravagant deliveries. Veeramani, who disclosed his phone number and address on social media in the hopes of receiving gifts from followers, expressed concern as the situation spiraled out of control. According to reports, people allegedly initiated fake orders in his name, resulting in the delivery of expensive household appliances such as televisions, refrigerators, washing machines, and similar items. One television order was allegedly valued at Rs169,000.\n\nThe prank even led to absurd claims on social media suggesting that a T-90 military tank, an ambulance, and even a rocket had been ordered for Veeramani. However, these assertions have not been independently verified. As the deliveries continued unabated, Veeramani turned to Instagram to urgently appeal to those responsible, lamenting that he had neither requested the items nor the funds to pay for them. \"Why are you guys doing this? The delivery boys are coming from long distances. Stop doing this,\" he stated in a video, adding, \"Fifteen orders came in within half an hour, and I don't have money for all of that.\"",
  "summary": "An Instagram influencer from Madurai in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu has appealed to pranksters to stop sending unwanted cash-on-delivery (COD) orders to his home after an online request for Diwali sweets led to a wave of expensive deliveries. Veeramani, who shared his phone number and home address on social media in the hope of receiving festive treats from followers, said the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}