Dear Abby: My sister-in-law refuses to believe she is being catfishedand I dont know how to help her
DEAR ABBY: My sister-in-law, “Carla,” has had a “girlfriend,” “Susan,” for the past year who she has never met or spoken to.They only text.
Carla says they plan to be married when they meet, which is canceled repeatedly.When I have asked, Carla has confusing reasons why they can’t FaceTime or speak on the phone.Carla volunteered to come early for her yearly stay to assist us because I was having surgery.
My husband bought her a plane ticket, but she decided not to use it, as Susan was going to come with her and could not travel on that date.When my surgery was done, my husband had little help.
Carla did arrive a week or so later (without Susan).Yesterday she shared with me that she was looking for a particular gift card.
I asked, despite knowing I shouldn’t, who the gift cards were for, and she told me they were for Susan.I don’t want to assist her in getting scammed.
Is there anything I can do to help my sister-in-law? Do I just mind my own business? — WISE BROTHER-IN-LAW IN ARIZONADEAR WISE B.I.L.: There are so many red flags in your letter that it is alarming.Your sister-in-law may be being catfished or romance-scammed.
A classic warning sign is involvement with someone who can’t or won’t converse on the phone or face-to-face.This happens when the person is not the gender or age they claim to be.
Promising to meet and having to constantly postpone the meeting is another red flag.Carla is making a huge mistake by sending this “friend” money.
Gift cards are a common conduit used by cat-fishers.Romance scams happen so frequently that the FBI has a special unit that investigates them.Complaints can be filed via the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at fbi.gov.
It goes without saying that Carla should cease all contact with this person immediately and notify the complaint center. DEAR ABBY: A close family member was arrested for child pornography.He is now out of jail.
My husband and I have decided he is not to be around ou...