Conmen Paraded Through Streets in Rajasthan for Lottery Scam

On August 4th, 2025, a peculiar scene unfolded in the town of Merta, Nagaur district, Rajasthan. Three men, their heads shaved and dressed in women's salwar suits, were paraded through the town streets by the local police, chanting "We made a mistake" with their hands folded in front of them.

The trio had allegedly swindled an elderly man out of ₹2 lakh through a familiar scam - convincing the victim that he had won a ₹4.5 lakh lottery. The men, using female attire to disguise themselves, persuaded the elderly man to borrow money to claim his supposed winnings, only to disappear on a motorcycle after receiving the cash.

When the police tracked down the accused, they were still wearing the salwar suits they had used for the scam. The authorities decided to march them through town in the same manner they were caught, stretching the parade from the local bus stand to the courthouse.

This public shaming tactic is part of a broader crackdown on organized and financial crimes in Rajasthan. According to police sources, these parades are designed to rattle the confidence of both the accused and those who might consider following their path. They are also meant to provide a sense of justice and empowerment to the public, who may otherwise feel powerless against the rise of such crimes.

Similar public humiliation measures have been used in other parts of Rajasthan, with people accused of extortion or affiliated with organized crime groups being paraded in identical underwear or other degrading attire. While these tactics have earned praise on social media, legal experts and human rights advocates argue that they undermine due process and put the justice system on a slippery slope.