Aunts friendship with young couple

Personally I would make myself known to them,exchange numbers with them,if they didn't want that or get to know you I'd be wary then,I'd also say in future if your Aunt is unwell can you please let me know if she hasn't.. or say to your Aunt to make sure let you know or tell them to let you know,if they don't you'll know they're up to no good,but as others have said they could just be looking out for her as friendly people but like you I'd be very aware,you hear such horror stories these days xx

I have 2 upstairs neighbours who help me in a similar way as an 78 year old. People are just kind.

My Mum is 86 and until recently lived alone (she will do again in the near future). All her neighbours are wonderful, including several young people who live in the same street. She has no money and doesn't own her own house, so they are clearly just lovely, kind people. They get her shopping, they have done some minor repairs on the house, they have invited her in for Christmas, etc. They are just lovely.

Young people are so much nicer than older generations. That's my take.

I dont think you're wrong to be concerned, but that doesn't automatically mean they are doing anything wrong.

My great Uncle befriended a younger couple (although I believe in their 50s so not young), and he left everything to them. We said nothing, because actually he always seemed very happy with the support they gave him, he had no children of his own, and none of us were travelling regularly (or at all) to visit or help him out so no one felt they could raise any concerns.

The major red flag in this scenario was that they had done similar before - befriended and elderly person, took them out for lunches etc, inherited their estate.

One of the neighbours raised a concern to my aunt/uncle but Great Uncle was happy and no one wanted to seem like they were after his money themselves by pushing it.

We got what we deserved and expected (absolutely nothing), and I have no issue with that at all. But there is still a part of me that doubts their intentions were anything but selfish.

I can absolutely understand your concerns, but so far I don't think you have anything to worry about. Maybe meet them and give them your details. That way if anything happens to your aunt they can contact you. I am sure they are just lovely people who have your aunts interest at heart. It's so easy to misinterpret someone being nice and become suspicious, but as long as you keep lines of communication going there should be a chance to get to know them and build a relationship. After all they are looking after your aunt and she seems to be happy.

I’m in my early 20s as is my partner. I’d probably do the same as the couple you mentioned - just the other day I met an older lady who wanted directions so I went out of my way and walked her to the right side of town. She told me she doesn’t often leave her village and wasn’t sure on where to go.

Tbf my partner and I have also gone on cruises meant for older people and really enjoyed it, and I’ve chatted to quite a few older ladies in the women’s only spa and helped them out with the odd thing. If I lived near an older woman who might need company I’d also make her dinner without want of any return.

I usually think “if that was my Nana I’d want someone to help her”. I’m very much a Nana’s girl though which is possibly why. She raised me so I think I feel an odd sense of giving back to the older women’s community perhaps? Lol

I would keep an eye on things, discreetly. It sounds fine, but at age 66 I've seen things that seem 'fine' turn out to be otherwise.

Oh, ffs. “Old girl”?

I would keep a close eye on it. My great aunt had a much younger next door neighbor who looked like she was just the sweetest thing ever. She slowly over time, would give hard luck stories, be given money, and by the time it was discovered had almost totally emptied my aunt's account. You would never have the suspected this neighbor. She looked so sweet and lovable. But there was nothing that could be done because my aunt willingly gave her the money. But then when she needed to go for an assisted living, there was nothing left. My aunt did not have any children or relatives that lived close by in her city. And so by the time she frantically reached out it was too late to resolve the issue. The neighbor moved away. But we did rally around her to help her out.

I thought same , she's only worried they're going to get a bit of inheritance!! So what if the old girl leaves them.a few quid , they've been nice to her

I understand your concern as there are unscrupulous people who prey on the elderly. They may be perfectly genuine, but you don't know them. It would be reasonable for your aunt to invite you to meet with them, as you are her closest relative. Ask her to introduce you. This may help you decide how you feel about them.

@JLou08 Of course she’s not stupid, no one’s saying that. She’s likely still grieving her husband after two years though, my Dad’s still gets emotional about my SM after four years. This couple are probably lovely and I don’t understand why the OP shouldn’t meet them at some point.

When I was 18 I worked in a local pub. There was an old lady who always stayed until close and I would drive her home. She only lived round the corner but wasn’t great on her feet. I certainly wasn’t after anything I was just being nice as I was fond of her. She did buy me some chocolates for Christmas though and once made me come in for a ham sandwich.

Oh dear.
'Every year, thousands of intelligent and otherwise capable people fall victim to some form of exploitation or fraud.'
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/how-to-make-better-choices/202506/why-smart-people-fall-for-fraudulent-schemes

Being 70 doesn't make her stupid. I'm assuming there's no dementia or something that would impair her capacity as I'd expect this would be in the OP. With nothing like that going on she is capable of making her own judgements on people and protecting herself. It seems like you've made an assumption that she can't do this based on her age. Nobody would have got one over on my GPs when they were that age, I'd say their age actually gave them the experience to be better judges of a person's character than I was.

@CurlewKate Hmm, we’ll agree to disagree. I’d see it as an indication that my family who live a distance away care about me. Perhaps I’m weird, but I make a point of getting to know everyone who helps my Dad out. Granted he’s a lot older than the auntie in this scenario. I didn’t when my step-Mum was alive, but now he’s on his own, I know he’s more emotionally vulnerable.

And how suspicious would you all be if she refused? And how difficult would saying no for her? And the suggestion is that the OP thanks them, and gives them her phone number. Because that’s exactly what equals do.

@CurlewKate Why can’t the OP say that she’d like meet them? Her aunt can always refuse, but it sounds unlikely.

Just be careful you see this in magazines they befriend the elderly, then atm withdrawals and pins. It sounds fine I dont know though I just would be cautious.

Only if the aunt suggests it.

@CurlewKate So you don’t think that it would be a good idea for the OP to meet this couple?

First sentence in first reply nailed it for me.

They sound like a lovely couple. We have an adopted elderly aunty in my family too. Her family see her infrequently. I know they don't like that we exist but we just love her and she loves us. She's very wealthy and has tried to talk to us about her plans for her will before but we have refused to entertain it (I know she will still enrage her family and leave us something. But we love her for her and would rather have her alive and with us, livening up our Sunday lunches with her sharp, witty observations and her extraordinary knowledge about so many random things, rather than any inheritance she chooses to leave us.

Because they’re friends not carers? And not patronising gits?

Why would they? I don’t have emergency contact details for the relatives of any of my friends.

I don’t think you’re BU to be cautious, but that doesn’t mean that something untoward is going on. Maybe if you meet them yourself it could be your mind at rest somewhat.