This is where a victim is contacted from a person purporting to be a government official, someone they know, or someone they had contact with online but have not met in person. The victim may be told about a money making opportunity or winning a prize. The victim will be told to call a specific phone number or advised they need to pay taxes/fees. Scammers can “spoof” their phone number as being from a government agency, other individual, or business to make their call seem more legitimate.
Regardless of the story, the demand is the same, some type of payment is required before something will occur. The request may include wiring money, sending cash, or providing prepaid card/gift card numbers. Legitimate companies or government entities will not request payment be made with gift cards.