This scam begins with a fraudster sending a bogus email posing as someone in your contacts list. They then request gift cards for retailers such as Amazon, claiming that they need help purchasing the cards for a sick family member.
As the message appears to come from someone you know, you might think it's real and agree to buy the cards. However, it's important to be careful and double-check any unusual requests, even if they appear to be genuine at first glance.
Discover how fake gift card messages are written and how to keep yourself safe.
Gift card scams
Source: Which? (28 June 2023)