The Marakkanam police have arrested 10 individuals for allegedly cheating the public by selling fake household items across Villupuram. The accused reportedly moved street to street on two-wheelers, claiming to offer goods at discounted prices with scratch card coupons, but later duped buyers with counterfeit products.
One victim, G Datchayani of Chettikuppam, lodged a complaint after two accused visited her home claiming to sell a gas stove along with a scratch card promising “special offers.” Upon scratching the card, she was told she had won a silver anklet and could purchase either the stove or anklet for Rs 6,700. Choosing the anklet, she later discovered it was fake when verified at a jewellery shop.
Following the complaint, a police team under Kottakuppam sub-divisional DSP Uma Devi examined CCTV footage and traced the accused’s two-wheeler near a guest house at Periyamudaliar Chavady. The team arrested 10 persons from Tenkasi, Salem, and Thoothukudi districts at the guest house.
The arrested have been identified as:
V Manikandan (27) – Sankarankovil, Tenkasi
A Udhayasuriyan (27) – Tenkasi
S Shanmuga Nakulan (24) – Tenkasi
M Udhayakumar (29) – Kattur, Salem
R Muthukumar (38) – Sankarankovil, Tenkasi
G Gopi (33) – Seelanaickanpatti, Salem
K Mohanraj (31) – Salem
C Dinesh (22) – Salem
K Muthu Mariyappan (30) – Kovilpatti, Thoothukudi
V Vanaraja (26) – Seelanaickanpatti, Salem
Police confirmed that steps are being taken to remand the accused in judicial custody, and investigations are ongoing to uncover further details of the fraud.
