They Pretended to Be My Senior—Then Asked for ₹15,000 in Gift Cards

By Trisha Kesarwani

A True Story on How I Nearly Fell for a Digital Deception

It started like any other Monday. Buried in Emails, I saw a new one Pop Up:

“Are you available at the moment?”

A brief message. No details. But the Name? It belonged to Someone Senior at my organization—Someone I Admired, Someone I would never think to Question. And in our Fast-Paced, Digital-First Work Culture, Direct Communication from the top always feels Urgent. I replied immediately.

What followed was a masterclass in manipulation. A Scam so subtle, so tailored, it nearly worked.

Act I: The Impersonation

The sender claimed to be caught in a meeting but needed my Urgent help: “Could you Purchase ₹15,000 worth of Gift Cards? It’s for a surprise for some team members.”

The request was wrapped in Professionalism, but also in secrecy. I was told to buy the Cards, scratch off the Codes, and Email them back—quietly.

That’s when the first Red Flag waved. Why would a Senior leader bypass Finance Protocols? Why Gift Cards? Why me?

Act II: Behind the Curtain of the Scam

This was a Business Email Compromise (BEC) in action—a Scam increasingly common in Indian Workplaces.

Here’s how it plays out:

A fake Email mimics Someone influential.
The tone is friendly but firm, Urgent but polite.
The Scammer asks you to do something small, but Financially impactful—like buying Gift Cards.
Once you send the Codes, the Money is gone. Instantly.

They prey on interns, new hires, and those still finding their footing—people who might hesitate to Question authority.

The Red Flags I Missed (But You Shouldn’t)

Looking back, the signs were there:

The Email address had a tiny difference—an extra character easily missed.
There was no signature or branding—unusual for internal communication.
The tone emphasized urgency and confidentiality—a manipulation trick.
Most importantly: No leader should ask for Gift Cards over Email. Ever.

Lessons From the Edge

Thankfully, I trusted my gut. I called the Real Manager—who was completely unaware of the Email. That call saved me ₹15,000—and a lot more in peace of mind.

Here’s what you must remember:

Verify, verify, verify—a simple phone call can stop a Scam.
Scrutinize the sender's Email—not just the name.
Beware of vague urgency and secrecy—it’s emotional bait.
Never send gift Card details unless you’ve confirmed the request through official channels.
Report suspicious Emails to your IT department or visit India’s Cyber Crime Portal.

If It Feels Off, It Probably Is

Digital Scams are no longer limited to tech-illiterate targets. They are smart, evolving, and deeply psychological.

My Story is a reminder to Stay Vigilant. Don’t let your respect for Hierarchy Override your Sense of Caution. Your instinct is your first line of defense.

In a hyperconnected world, Pausing to Question could be your greatest Protection.