In a move that captured the attention of millions, Rahul Krishnan, co-founder of BoldCare, took to social media to share his credit card details, inviting users to make transactions under ₹1,000. His actions quickly went viral, amassing 3.3 million views in less than 24 hours and sparking a wave of reactions—both positive and negative.
Public Credit Card, Private Purchases
Krishnan’s post on the microblogging platform X (formerly Twitter) included his full credit card number, expiration date, and security code, along with a challenge: users could make purchases up to ₹1,000, and he would provide the necessary OTPs (One-Time Passwords) in the thread. He even revealed that his card had a ₹3 lakh limit, adding another layer of intrigue to his unconventional marketing strategy.
Netizens React: What Did They Buy?
Users quickly took advantage of the opportunity, making various purchases on platforms like Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit, and Amazon. The transactions ranged from food orders to small items, each carefully kept under the ₹1,000 limit. One user, for instance, ordered paneer biryani from Zomato and jokingly thanked Krishnan, promising to buy from BoldCare as a “return gift.” In response, Krishnan asked for a 5-star review for his company, showcasing his humor and marketing savvy.
Calculating the Costs: How Much Did He Spend?
Given the transactions allowed were capped at ₹1,000 and assuming that Krishnan’s card limit of ₹3 lakh was reached, the total amount spent would be ₹3,00,000. This indicates that approximately 300 microtransactions were made before his card was blocked due to the volume of activity.
Mixed Reactions: Marketing Genius or Irresponsible Gamble?
The stunt drew a wide range of reactions. Some praised Krishnan’s bold approach as an innovative marketing strategy that cleverly engaged users and promoted his brand without traditional advertising costs. One user commented, “Really smart marketing here. This is an SBI prepaid card on Visa’s network. Frankly, I’m appalled that this card hasn’t been flagged yet by Visa or SBI for such a high volume of activity originating from so many different IPs.”
Others, however, criticized the move as reckless and potentially dangerous, pointing out the risks involved in sharing sensitive financial information publicly. A user remarked, “Yeh sahi hai waise this man single-handedly promoted himself as co-founder of BoldCare instead of paying 5-10 lakh to an agency for marketing.”
Another user speculated, “Wow, it looks like he chose to spend the ad budget to just buy people what they wanted and get that sweet engagement farming going and plug his brand real cleverly. Well played.”
A Clever Gamble or a Cautionary Tale?
While the exact motivations behind Krishnan’s stunt remain unclear, the impact is undeniable. Whether seen as a brilliant marketing move or a risky gamble, his actions have certainly put BoldCare in the spotlight, sparking discussions on the fine line between creativity and responsibility in digital marketing.
