They love their gift cards. A lesson for everyone is that any time anybody asks you for a gift card and it's not your niece, nephew, grandson, or some other family member, do not, under any circumstances cooperate.

I wonder where these people were operating out of. Did they sound American? Something else?

This was a very complicated, involved scam. And your anger with them is justified. It's all they do all day. It's how they "earn" their money.

I'm glad you're okay!!