I get these a few times a year, from various people. Yes it's a scam. So is the I lost my wallet and I'm in a foreign country, or I was mugged and I lost my wallet...

Look at the return address, very carefully. If the real one is (I made up an address, it's a the real one) personsname@cox.net it will have a return as personsname@yahoo.com or they will swap one letter and it will look like the real person. personname@cox.net or personssname@cox.net

Usually the real account is still good and not "hacked". It's a clone or a look alike.

On the other hand, the crook, probably just sent this to everyone in Jim's contact list.

Here's what the FTC says about Gift Cards: "Don’t pay for anything with a gift card. Gift cards are for gifts, not for payments. If anyone asks you to pay with a gift card, it’s a scam."

ps Jims Email is Cox.net, not something else.