Is a WhatsApp message from my 'boss' asking for gift cards a scam?
Almost certainly. This is the CEO or boss impersonation scam — a scammer pretends to be your manager and asks you to buy gift cards on their behalf.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
In boss-impersonation fraud, a scammer creates a WhatsApp profile with your manager's name and photo — often copied from LinkedIn or a company website — and messages you claiming they are tied up in a meeting or overseas and urgently need you to purchase gift cards (often iTunes, Google Play, or Amazon) and send the codes. They promise to reimburse you later.
The scenario is designed to exploit workplace dynamics where employees feel uncomfortable questioning a senior colleague. The request is always urgent and confidential. No legitimate manager asks employees to buy gift cards as a business expense via a personal messaging app — this is always a scam. If you receive such a message, verify by calling or emailing your actual manager through a channel you know is genuine.
Common red flags
- Unexpected WhatsApp message from someone claiming to be your manager
- Request to buy gift cards urgently and send the codes
- Instruction to keep the request confidential
- Manager claims to be unavailable by normal channels — in a meeting, abroad, or on a call
- The phone number is different from the one you have on file for your manager
- Pressure to act before verifying — 'I need this in the next 30 minutes'
What to do now
- Do not buy any gift cards
- Call or email your actual manager through a channel you already have — not through WhatsApp
- Report the impersonation to your company's IT or security team
- Report the fake profile to WhatsApp
- If you already bought cards and shared codes, report it to your national fraud service immediately
Frequently asked questions
My manager does sometimes message me on WhatsApp. How can I tell if it's really them?
Check the phone number against the one you already have saved. If it's different, or if the request is unusual — especially involving gift cards or secrecy — call your manager on the number you know to verify before doing anything.
What if I've already shared the gift card codes?
Report to your national fraud service and to your employer immediately. The codes will likely have been redeemed already, but reporting creates a record and may help if the scam is part of a larger pattern.