Imposter/Business email compromise scam

Victim Location 53713

Total money lost $850

Type of a scam Other

I, the office manager, received an email from our president (someone claiming to be our president). It was an unusual email address but our president often uses his personal email and not the company email address. This person was requesting me to purchase gift cards to make a donation to a charity organization. Since the company has a charitable arm it was not an unusual request. I purchased the cards and replied to the email stating they were ready for pick up at the office. The person then asked for images of the codes and send to him. I took an image and texted the president. The president replied what are these and I replied the gift cards he requested. Then the email person requested more cards and that I email the code numbers to him. I did so but was now concerned because gift cards had always been presented in person to the recipient never a code number over email. The next morning when the person emailed and requested more gift cards I didn’t reply but contacted all officers of the company and asked if they made or authorized any request for gift cards. The president (and other officers) replied that nothing had been authorized. At this point the company is out $850 and I am ashamed I fell for the scam.