Hundreds of people who were cheated of their investment amount staged protests across Dindigul and Madurai districts on Friday urging the authorities to take necessary action against those involved in the multi-crore investment scam.Hundreds of investors staged protests in Natham and its neighbouring areas in Dindigul district, and in Alanganallur and Melur in Madurai district. It is said the people had invested the amount through a mobile application which was allegedly run by Ranjith of Melur in Madurai district.In Natham and its surrounding areas, hundreds of investors staged protests in front of the residences of agents who had collected the money. The agents had promised the people high returns on investment.It is said the public were lured by promises that an investment of ₹54,000 through the mobile application would get doubled in 45 days and the high returns on investment would continue. Trusting the process, thousands of people from Natham and nearby areas and in Alanganallur and Melur reportedly invested a total sum exceeding ₹10 crore.It is said for the past few months, investors had been receiving returns denominated in US dollars and were able to withdraw the amount. As the news of this spread, many people joined the mobile application and invested through it.However, for the last two days, it was said it had become impossible to withdraw money through the mobile application. News of this spread rapidly across social media, leaving the investors in a state of shock.Following this, the investors gathered outside the residences of Ramesh and Vijay, who were said to be agents, near Natham and staged a protest. Similar protests were also held in Alanganallur and Melur. The police in Natham, Melur and Alanganallur met the protestors and assured them that necessary action would be taken.In Natham, the protesters damaged the residence of Ramesh. They also pelted stones on the police vehicle as he was being taken for questioning. After the assurance given by the police that necessary action would be taken, the protesters dispersed. The police are currently questioning Ramesh in connection with the case. Published - August 28, 2026 09:21 pm IST