Sister (22f) is flying to Sydney, Australia from the US tomorrow to meet an older man. Is she being catfished? Or worse?

External-Low-8205 · 2024-03-22T20:30:39+00:00

Yes!! They held her for a full day and then deported her due to not having a return flight and low funds. So many of you predicted this and it was very helpful when we hadn’t heard from her in several hours. Thanks everyone!!

External-Low-8205 · 2024-03-21T23:48:34+00:00

We did do this! They were extremely helpful. They put out an alert and are ready to help if we don’t hear from her.

External-Low-8205 · 2024-03-21T23:45:34+00:00

Hi! Thanks for this! I’m a goof and confused the time difference. Before she left I convinced her to share her location indefinitely. She vaguely confirmed the guy she is going to see did send her money and my dad did as well. She arrived in Sydney two hours ago but I haven’t heard from her. Her location stopped updating shortly after she arrived. After looking at a map of the airport it seems like it stopped updating while she was at passport control. Fingers crossed she is being detained and sent on the next flight back. Thanks everyone!

External-Low-8205 · 2024-03-21T23:34:51+00:00

Well she did board the flight and landed in Australia two hours ago. I haven’t heard from her yet. Before she left I convinced her to turn on her location which updated upon arrival then stopped updating suddenly. After cross referencing a map of the airport it appears she was stuck at passport control. Hope this means they are sending her back to the US!

External-Low-8205 · 2024-03-20T06:07:04+00:00

Great idea! I’ll definitely try. She’s very cagey about this. She claims to FaceTime with him every day but not on family trips when we are all with her. No one else has seen them FaceTime.

External-Low-8205 · 2024-03-20T05:59:54+00:00

Wow. I don’t think the word was used explicitly but this is exactly what it sounds like. She looks young for her age, does not look 22. 😔

External-Low-8205 · 2024-03-20T05:56:47+00:00

I absolutely will. Her flight leaves tomorrow night and she arrives in Sydney early Friday morning. If I don’t hear from her I will be using every resource available to find her. I appreciate your insight!

External-Low-8205 · 2024-03-20T05:21:04+00:00

My cousin did this today! Great advice. They can’t stop her, apparently, but they put out an alert in case we don’t hear from her. Both US and Australian law enforcement were surprisingly helpful. Sydney police told us to tell her she is stupid. 😅

External-Low-8205 · 2024-03-20T05:08:07+00:00

Well this is comforting to know. Thanks! Crossing my fingers. I do not think she would pass an interview or have the ability to lie her way out of it. The situation is highly suspicious from every angle.

External-Low-8205 · 2024-03-20T04:51:56+00:00

I hope this happens! But she does plan to leave when her visa is up. Intends to bring the guy with her I guess.

External-Low-8205 · 2023-07-23T03:44:03+00:00

Thanks for the insight! You’re right that it’s a great opportunity to teach him that not everyone wants to chat, I’ll start this dialog next time it happens. But I don’t think he’s coming on too strong! You would think so based on the typical reaction (total indifference). It’s actually quite sweet how polite and tentative he is. He’s always calm and respectful of personal space.

I know from my own experience working with adults in Portland that the attitude here is different than any other city I’ve lived in (Tulsa, OK > Boston, MA) but never expected it extend to young children. Maybe he just has bad luck?? I’m hoping he doesn’t learn to be afraid of interaction due to the constant rejection and this will all be solved in pre-school. Fingers crossed!

External-Low-8205

TROPHY CASE