A shocking email subject line referencing the “Epstein Files” caught a Delhi-based CEO’s attention, but not in the way the sender had hoped.
The message, sent by an IIT Hyderabad student to pitch his CV, has now sparked a debate on professionalism.
Harshdeep Rapal, founder and CEO of Legitt AI, shared on X that he recently received an email carrying the subject line: “Your name is in Epstein Files.” The reference to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein immediately caught his attention, but not for the right reasons.
Upon opening the message, Rapal realised the alarming subject line was merely a strategy to prompt him to click.
The sender, an IIT Hyderabad student pursuing Computer Science and Engineering, clarified in the first line of the email: “Hello Harshdeep, Just kidding, I wanted you to open the mail.”
The student went on to introduce himself, mentioning that he had explored Legitt AI’s website and was particularly interested in its Smart Contracts Assistant. He expressed interest in having a discussion and attached his rsum for consideration.
Rapal, however, did not appreciate the approach. Calling it inappropriate and unprofessional, he posted a screenshot of the email on X after redacting the student’s name.
“Folks, please don’t do this,” he wrote, cautioning aspiring applicants against using shock value to stand out. He added that most business owners are unlikely to respond positively to such tactics.
See the post here:
The incident has since triggered conversations about job-seeking strategies in a competitive market. While some social media users felt the student’s attempt reflected creativity and boldness, many agreed with Rapal that referencing a sensitive criminal case crossed a line.
“Some people just think they are being creative and thinking out of the box and do such immature stuff without realizing that people would be annoyed by such tricks,” wrote an X user.
In broader context, Jeffrey Epstein was a billionaire financier who was convicted in 2008 in Florida for trafficking and pushing a child into sex work. Initially, he served a short sentence. In 2019, he again faced federal charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy to traffic minors for sex.
The conspiracy theory that Epstein is still alive gained fresh attention, soon after the US Department of Justice (DOJ) made 3.5 million documents from the Epstein Files public.
