Beware of scams in Dubai

Today I got scammed, I lost 1500aed. Someone pretended to be my boss and emailed me on my company email asking for my WhatsApp mobile number as he wanted me to do a task. after sending my number to him I received a message from him asking me to go to the nearest emax store and text him, so I did that and then he asked to buy 3 apple gift cards worth 500 each and keep the receipt for reimbursement. So I did and then he asked for the receipt as it had the code to activate the card. Minutes later he asked me to buy 5 more of these cards and then when I went to the cashier to ask for 5 more she came up to me asking why I wanted to many. So she started telling me that there is a scam going on where someone pretends to be your manager /boss and asks you to buy these cards on their behalf and just then I understood that I'm f*cked. So be careful Dubai is beautiful but full of scammers, don't get lost in the beauty. Please don't keep your cards saved on any apps or websites, don't respond to messages from unknown number . If anyone has experienced the same please help and advice. Take care