Dear Abby: Sister-in-Law’s ‘Girlfriend’ Is Fishing for Money, Not Love
Carla’s online girlfriend has never met her, and gift cards are a common tool in romance scams, Dear Abby said.
- An Arizona resident writing as 'Wise Brother-in-law' contacted Dear Abby regarding his sister-in-law, Carla, who has maintained a year-long online-only relationship with 'Susan' whom she has never met or spoken to.
- The writer expressed alarm over numerous red flags, including Carla's inability to FaceTime or speak on the phone with Susan and constant meeting cancellations that raised further concerns.
- Abigail Van Buren, writing as Dear Abby, identified these behaviors as classic signs of a romance scam, noting that catfishers often use gift cards as a common conduit to exploit victims.
- Experts advise that Carla should immediately cease all contact with the individual and file a report via the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, which investigates frequent romance scams.
- Perpetrators often misrepresent their age or gender to deceive targets, and the writer is encouraged to stick to his boundaries rather than assisting in funding what appears to be a fraudulent connection.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Dear Abby: My sister-in-law believes her online ‘girlfriend’ is real. I don’t
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, b…
Dear Abby: Sister-in-law is clearly being scammed by her ‘girlfriend’ who she’s never met or seen
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.
Dear Abby: My sister-in-law keeps sending gift cards to an online “girlfriend”
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.
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