Scammers demand gift cards

Can I get help with my dad who was scammed out of $4,000 when he purchased Best Buy cards?

I just experienced a similar scam and being unemployed and with all of the problems I'm going thru, (I know that's no excuse) but it started with an automated phone call saying that $399 was taken from my account for a windows update. Had I been on my game, I know windows does not charge and updates are done differently & I would have checked my bank accounts for pending items. But stupid me didn't do that and I called the number back. At first the guy kept threatening to lock my laptop and I told him I needed it for job search. That's who they target....people looking for work or applying for a loan. Well then he said to go to Target and purchase 3 gift cards in the amount of $500 each knowing that I only had $1,522.33 in my EDD account. When I was to type in the $400 that they owed, I caught that James entered another zero very quickly and moved on faster than you would not believe. Well this showed that I now had $5,522.33 in my account, so I told him since he was able to enter the money just to take the $4,000 out as they never really took $400 from me. He kept saying that he was unable to at which point I asked for a supervisor, guess what? He was the supervisor. So when I was to go to Target I was to leave my laptop on and stay on the phone with him. Now, again I know better than this, but with a foggy mind, not thinking. I'm in the process of filing a report and trying to get my money back.

Today I was involve in google play scam. They scam me out of $400 The total I had in checking account. The scammer told me I had warrants an I needed to take all the money out of my account so he would report the judge to lift warrent an the social security would give me a new #. I gave the scammer the code from the google play card an they stole the money.

Oh my goodness, I too have been scammed by this network of people with DHHS! Let me tell you how they got me. First, let me say DHHS supposedly stands for Disability of Health and Human Services. I received an email through my college email account about a job offer. Who would think that's not legitimate? It was for a PA; personal assistant, position for a doctor (Dr. Robert Valerie) who's currently in Australia working with disabled students. It's discussing part-time work for an hour of work for 3 days a week paying $320 dollars a week. My job was supposed to entail mailing letters, make payments at Walmart, and make purchases for disabled individuals in my area. I'm a starving student so I figure every little bit of income helps right? Umm, not if you're getting scammed baby. (On a side note, how in the world did these people know I had a weak spot for disabled people, arts and culture, social services, among other interests of mine?) Did they pull my school file with my classes, discover past jobs I've had, google searches? What?? This is scary that people can find out our personal interests, desires, soft spots, or whatever and prey upon you like a hyena in the wild. I'm shook!!! So this morning was my first day and received my first assignment. NOW PAY ATTENTION: The genius part of this deception is that you're sent a check via email, you print it out (on business checks that you're required to purchase but he reimburses you), then cash the check (mobile deposit in my case). So I'm basically getting the money I'm supposed to have in order to run the errands and complete the tasks. I've never been a PA before but this seems fine. I mean, it's not like I'm paying for anything using my own money. He does everything by text message but initial communication was through email. He texts around 6 am in the morning saying he needs the first task done right away. I need to withdraw the money (the check he emailed me) and go purchase 9- $100 Amazon gift cards. He wanted to know when I got to the atm, when I got to the store, when I was finished purchasing the cards, then wanted a picture of the receipts with each gift card scratched off. It sounded strange but I'd never heard or knew of gift card scams. I did wonder why he seemed rushed and keeping tabs on my every move until cards were purchased. I was thinking gosh this doctor is demanding and maybe that's why he needs a PA because nobody can put up with him. From reading all the comments I know why this criminal was rushed. Said he would contact me with next assignment. I was thinking in a day or two. Nope, he contacts me later today and says his financial department emailed me another check and needed to deposit it right away. I get home and deposit it via mobile phone again. He always asks for receipts of the checks, the deposits, and even for the business checks I purchased. I thought it was for filing, accounting, and tax purposes. Then he asks if I had extra cash to get part of my assignment done tonight. I ask what is the assignment and he states he needs more gift cards. At this point my spidey senses are tingling and I'm starting to wonder whats going on. He says he needs $2000 in gift cards but I reply I can only do $1000. I already deposited the 2nd check "his company" sent and was waiting for it to clear in a few hours. The place only had 7- $100 Amazon cards. Meanwhile, while trying to purchase them my bank detected fradulent activity so froze my account. I'm so glad they did this because this caused me to call them and while doing that the manager of the store was at the front counter this time. He mentioned to me how these cards are being used in scams. He said people ask for the codes on the back via phone or online. OH THE HORROR I felt. I still was uncertain because of how I came across this person and went to my car to call him. I wanted clarification on things, verification of who he was, and wanted him to list these "supposed" tasks I was supposed to complete. No answer and I tried several times. Let me also mention that he kept texting me and even called me while I was still at the store trying to reach my bank and find out what the problem was. When I answered the phone twice, twice there was no response but he would text me right after. Smh. As to verify I was still there and reachable but couldn't talk on the phone because of being overseas and reception bs. I tell him they only had 7- $100 cards and I had to go somewhere else for the other 3. He insisted I send pictures of the 7 now and send pictures of the other 3 right after I purchased them. I said I'd get the other 3 and send pictures of all 10 together. He said no and wanted them now. That was the straw that broke the camels back and I knew something was not right about this situation. I smelled a fishy situation and I was not in a seafood joint. My gut was tugging at me and I said screw this, I'm going home. So after many back and forth texts with this guy I told him I believed he is a fraud, he can't verify who he is, I'm calling my school first thing in the morning, I'm calling the police, and starting calling numbers and searching online for gift card scams. I'm mortified at the results which ultimately lead me here. I called Amazon and the first batch of cards were already used. No surprise there. I'm at least glad I followed my instincts when it came to using my own money and snapped out of the daze of stupidity and didn't give him the information for the 2nd batch of cards. I feel like such an idiot.

I have a guy texting me right now for a steam wallet card