Message from your "boss" asking for gift cards or an urgent payment
Someone uses the photo and name of your boss or company head on WhatsApp or email and asks you to quietly buy gift cards or make an urgent payment.
Community reports: 0
How it works
- You get a WhatsApp message from a new number, or an email from an address that looks almost right, with the photo and name of your boss, a senior officer or the head of your company.
- The "boss" says he is in a meeting and cannot talk, and asks you to buy gift cards for clients, pay a vendor or transfer money urgently, promising to repay you later.
- You are asked to send the gift card codes or the payment proof on the chat, and once the codes are used or the money moves on, it cannot be recovered easily.
What it looks like
Example messages. Numbers and links are masked.
Hi, this is my new number. I am in a meeting and can't take calls. I need a small favour: buy 5 gift cards of Rs 10,000 each for a client and send me the codes here. I will reimburse you today.
Please process an urgent payment of Rs 4,80,000 to this vendor account before 3 pm. I am travelling, don't call, just confirm once done.
Red flags
- A new number using your boss's photo
- "In a meeting, cannot talk"
- Gift card codes asked for on chat
- Asked to keep it quiet
- Payment that skips the usual approvals
The one question to ask
Have you called your boss on the number you already have, or asked in person?
Already paid or shared details?
Call 1930 at once and file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in with the chat, the number and the gift card codes or payment details. If you paid by card or bank transfer, call your bank on the number printed on your card. Report the codes to the gift card company through its official website or app in case they can still be blocked, and tell your office so that colleagues are warned.
1930 · cybercrime.gov.in
Also seen as
- Fake senior government officer messaging junior staff for favours
- Email from the "CEO" asking the accounts team to pay a new vendor