NEW DELHI, February 14, 2026 — The quest for digital attention has taken a dark and desperate turn. In an era where “stopping the scroll” is the ultimate currency, a new trend of extreme email clickbait is sparking outrage across India’s professional landscape. From fake legal notices to “Epstein Files” hoaxes, job seekers and marketers are increasingly using shock value to force interactions—a tactic experts warn is a “career killer.”
The issue gained significant traction this week after prominent influencer Revant Himatsingka, better known as Food Pharmer, exposed the growing toxicity of these methods.
“Epstein Files” and the IIT Candidate
The most egregious example of this trend surfaced involving Harshdeep Rapal, CEO of Delhi-based Legitt AI. Rapal recently lashed out on social media after receiving an email from a Computer Science student at IIT Hyderabad with the subject line: “Your name is in the Epstein Files.”
Given the global notoriety of the Jeffrey Epstein case, the subject line effectively forced an immediate open. However, the body of the email began with: “Just kidding, I wanted you to open the mail,” before transitioning into a standard job pitch.
Rapal slammed the move as “highly inappropriate” and “unprofessional,” cautioning aspiring applicants that while such tactics guarantee an “open,” they almost certainly guarantee a rejection. “Folks, please don’t do this,” he wrote. “Most business owners are unlikely to respond positively to shock value.”
Food Pharmer’s Warning: The “Legal Notice” Scam
Food Pharmer, who has built a massive following by exposing deceptive marketing in the food industry, revealed that he has been on the receiving end of similar tactics. He noted a surge in emails with alarming subject lines like:
- “Delhi High Court: Legal Notice”
- “Madras High Court: Final Summons”
- “Urgent: Action Required Regarding Your Account”
Himatsingka pointed out the irony: while he spends his career fighting brands for using “marketing gimmicks” to mislead consumers, individuals are now using those same deceptive strategies to get his attention. He warned that this “Information Gap” theory—where the brain is compelled to close a gap created by a mysterious or threatening statement—is being weaponized in ways that destroy professional trust.
The Psychology of Desperation
Industry leaders believe this “clickbait pandemic” is a byproduct of an oversaturated digital market and a hyper-competitive job economy.
- The “Open” Fallacy: Many believe that getting a hiring manager to open an email is 90% of the battle. In reality, an open gained through deception often leads to the sender being blacklisted or their email being flagged as spam.
- The Credibility Gap: Marketing experts argue that trust takes years to build but seconds to break. Using a “fake mistake” or a “shocking leak” as a hook leaves the recipient feeling manipulated rather than intrigued.
The Professional Consensus: Back to Basics
Recruiters and CEOs are now calling for a return to professional clarity. Career consultants suggest that a strong, keyword-rich subject line like “Experienced Software Engineer – [Your Name] – Referral from [Connection]” remains 100% more effective than any sensationalized headline.
As the “Label Padhega India” (India Will Read the Label) movement gains steam, a new sentiment is emerging in the corporate world: “Subject Line Samjhega India” (India Will Understand the Subject Line). The consensus is clear—deception is not a strategy, and a click gained through fear is never worth the loss of integrity.
