hmm. there are physical bitcoins out there, I don't know if there are any plastic ones, but it is practically a simple object with bitcoin logo on it which also actually contains bitcoin with the public key and private key and everything.
is your friend sure that it was not just an ugly collectible?
https://www.coindesk.com/10-physical-bitcoins-good-bad-ugly/
is your friend sure that it was not just an ugly collectible?
https://www.coindesk.com/10-physical-bitcoins-good-bad-ugly/
Maybe it had a QR code on it that will let you transact your bitcoin, Because yes there are physical bitcoin hovering the market place that lets us store amount of bitcoin that has a QR code so you can scan and transfer your digital bitcoin, And I don't really think that the story is funny, scammers often used uneducated people that don't have any idea about bitcoin and use it to their advantage, Even if the story is untrue it is still not funny to use your knowledge about bitcoin in taking advantage to someone that are not.