A shocking case of fraud has come to light near the world-famous Konark Sun Temple, where unsuspecting tourists were allegedly cheated by vendors selling fake cashew packets. What appeared to be premium-quality cashew nuts from the outside reportedly turned out to be mostly peanuts inside, leaving tourists stunned and distressed.
Marathi Tourists Cheated
According to sources, tourists visiting Konark were lured by vendors claiming to sell high-quality local cashews. A group of tourists from Maharashtra, having heard about Konark’s reputation for good cashews, purchased packets priced at Rs 600 per kilogram. However, upon opening the packets later, they discovered that only 40 to 50 grams consisted of actual cashew nuts, while the remaining contents were peanuts.
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The packets were allegedly packed in a deceptive manner, with cashew nuts placed only on the top layer to give the impression that the entire packet contained cashews. The fraud came to light only after the packets were opened, by which time the vendors had already disappeared.
Video Viral On Social Media
Reports suggest that around 15 Marathi tourists who visited Konark two days ago were collectively cheated of thousands of rupees by a group of itinerant vendors. Due to a lack of time and travel constraints, the victims were unable to lodge a formal complaint with the police.
Meanwhile, a video capturing the fraudulent practice has gone viral on social media, sparking outrage among netizens and raising serious questions about tourist safety and the regulation of vendors in heritage areas. The incident has tarnished the image of Konark, one of Odisha’s most prominent tourist destinations.
