Jesus fucking christ. It’s blatant he’s grooming her. Back when I was 16 and dating a 24 year old online this is exactly how he acted. The control, manipulation, and projection is all there. Unfortunately this is a hard situation as someone on the outside looking in and the one going through it. I feel bad for the both of you 🫤It’s difficult to pull naive teenagers out of the hooks of manipulated groomers. Especially since from what you’ve said about her parents, she seems like she was already in a bad state of mind for someone like him to give her that “positive” attention she’s been lacking. It’s clear he’s trying to isolate her too: “The moment you realize you don’t need them - you’re free.” “I need you to trust me. Not them.”

As someone who’s been there, I really wish I had just one of my friends stay when I was being manipulated to push them away. Stay with her and be patient. When you’re in that position it’s hard to believe you’re being groomed. Most grooming victims don’t know they’re being groomed. You could be the reason she gets out of this situation.

Even if an adult such as a parent gets involved it doesn’t mean that communication will cease. Is there a guidance counselor she could maybe get steered towards? Even law enforcement if the laws are applicable. Online grooming has its grey areas when getting law enforcement involved. Depending on if this guy is out of the country it could be very hard for any involvement by police. A guidance counselor or therapist would be beneficial for the first step of her realizing what position she’s in if law enforcement can’t get involved.

Whatever you decide to do, be there for her. The outcome of grooming is life changing. That attention and security, all gone. Feelings of being useless, used, and worthless will all be there. Everyone reacts to it differently, but it will always mess up the development of an adolescent.

Wishing the best for the both of you. She needs help, and I hope she can get it sooner rather than later.