Bizarre Scam in Tamil Nadu: Women Shave Heads After Fraudster Promises Cash Rewards

In a bizarre case of fraud reported from Pudukkottambadi village in Salem district, Tamil Nadu, three women allegedly fell victim to a fake government scheme after receiving a phone call from a person claiming to be from the Tahsildar's office. The caller reportedly warned them about a new contagious disease similar to COVID-19 and falsely claimed that people abroad had shaved their heads as a preventive measure. He further alleged that the Tamil Nadu government had adopted the same measure.

The fraudster reportedly promised ₹15,000 to women who shaved their heads, ₹45,000 and a free laptop to college students, and ₹6,000 to men, claiming their names were already included in the beneficiary list. One woman shared the information with others in the village, following which three women underwent tonsure believing the claims. When they later tried contacting the caller, his phone was switched off, leaving them shocked and realizing they had been cheated.