It was really the most basic scam, where you would wonder how people can still fall for it. An email from somebody using their boss name asking to buy some gift cards.
My friend bought 1000 pounds of this stuff for Apple and Sainsbury’s but only sent roughly half, then they realised they are idiots. The purchase was done in person, I think paid using a debit card.
They tried to call the bank but they said there was nothing they could do. They actually blocked their bank account. They got in touch with Apple assistance but again they received a negative answer. I think they will soon talk to the police as well.
Is there anything you would suggest to try to get the (or some) money back?
7 comments
They can report it to action fraud if it will make either of you feel better, but the money is sunk and the best your friend can hope for is a lesson learned
What are these people doing as jobs where it would be normal for their boss to randomly text them from a random number and ask them to buy hundreds of pounds of gift cards and send them the numbers?
Not calling these people dumb, but there is a line, and this crosses it.
Most places don’t even let you buy that many gift cards, and will make sure you’re buying it for a legitimate reason rather than being scammed
You can report it to action fraud but that’s it.
Your friend paid with his debit card using his pin number so no fraud took place. He can return the ones he hasn’t sent and maybe they’ll refund him but doubtful.
It’s 2022 how are people still falling for this stuff?
No one questioning how they knew the bosses name and the fact they are meeting to buy the cards. Sounds like an inside job.
The level of victim blaming here is sad, stress can play havoc with our thought processes, mistakes happen.