to report MIL.

[JunkCrumpet]

We're NC with MIL because she's evil. She's also a "therapist" - she offers "healing" of various kinds. She has no actual qualifications in anything that's in any way recognised by anyone. I'm not talking about hypnotherapy or aromatherapy or something "alternative" but with some surrounding evidence - I mean "I can talk to ghosts and ask them to remove your cancer" bullshit.
Now, MIL has a website where she advertises. She claims to have all these qualifications but it's things like "experienced in X" or "qualified to perform Y". She has a "Diploma in Suchnsuch" that her friend printed out for her. I think what she's doing is dangerous. She abused her children to the point that they're NC with her, she's a compulsive liar and very manipulative. She's also very money grabbing and uses people for money - she's been known to steal large amounts (thousands) from family members. She isn't DBS checked or insured and her business isn't registered. I also know she's paid in cash and also claiming jobseekers despite having this income.
I'm very worried that she'll victimise vulnerable people. I wouldn't be surprised if she were trying to manipulate or coerce money out of wealthy vulnerable people (especially men). I would also suspect that, especially with Covid, many people are afraid of going to NHS in case they catch Covid and so are seeking alternative treatments. If they believe what she's saying they could easily die from curable illnesses because they don't seek the proper help. I don't want her to get into trouble and I certainly don't want to be back in contact with her or too involved but it's nagging at me.
AIBU to report her? And, if I should report her, who do I even report her to? I don't think it's a criminal offence until someone actually gets hurt, the benefits fraud isn't the thing I'm really worried about, you can only report someone practising without a DBS check to their employer so self-employed people are off the hook (unless they actually commit another crime). Should I just butt out? I feel obliged to do something before someone gets hurt.

[whataboutbob]

If she’s advertising that she can “ remove” cancer then it’s certainly not harmless. You could report her to Trading Standards ( via her local council) . Sadly there are charlatans out there who will prey on people’s fear of cancer and any other serious incurable disease. I used to work in HIV and before there were effective treatments the disease attracted quite a few exploitative quacks.

[Porcupineinwaiting]

No contact means precisely that. It doesnt include stalking on social media. Whatever she's doing, it's nothing to do with you.

[JunkCrumpet]

@Vinosaurus

...she's definitely an over-dramatic, attention seeking hypochondriac. One reason her children are NC is because she spent their childhood telling them they had illnesses and allergies that they don't have. They had very low school attendance and were frequently being tested for things.

I'd add Munchausen's by Proxy to that list.

Oh definitely. I was a teacher and DH still is one. If a student's performance falls below 90% then it becomes a safeguarding issue. DH's attendance was around 75% (documented in his school reports). I think that because he was a straight A* student and very involved in the school (and because this was a white, upper middle class family), nothing was ever done. It's these kinds of behaviours that are why we've gone NC - not for ourselves but for DC. It doesn't take many comments for someone to plant an idea in a child's mind that they aren't well.

[Vinosaurus]

...she's definitely an over-dramatic, attention seeking hypochondriac. One reason her children are NC is because she spent their childhood telling them they had illnesses and allergies that they don't have. They had very low school attendance and were frequently being tested for things.

I'd add Munchausen's by Proxy to that list.

[JunkCrumpet]

@ChrisPrattsFace

The worst part for me OP is that she tries to link her ‘profession’ and business to me - she’s incorrectly doing/providing this service she actually knows very little about and mentions me in it every time. You know, because I paid the money and got qualified and pay my professional fees.

I’m ignoring her the very very very VERY best I can (murder is illegal) so I hope you can too!

That's awful! I'm so sorry. You could probably ask her, in writing, to put a disclaimer that she's not affiliated with your business. Pretty sure there's some IP laws or something to protect you.

[fabulousathome]

That's really terrible Chris. Can your professional body intervene somehow? Then it's not you.

[ChrisPrattsFace]

The worst part for me OP is that she tries to link her ‘profession’ and business to me - she’s incorrectly doing/providing this service she actually knows very little about and mentions me in it every time. You know, because I paid the money and got qualified and pay my professional fees.

I’m ignoring her the very very very VERY best I can (murder is illegal) so I hope you can too!

[MJMG2015]

@HopeClearwater

a circle jerk situation

I wouldn’t use this phrase unless you are VERY sure of what it means ...

The 'men standing in a circle jerking off' is a very dated use of the term

This is a more modern useage
'A group discussion or activity between like-minded individuals that validates mutual biases or goals in a non-confrontational environment.

[fassbendersmistress]

I understand your concern but I think you need to butt out and let other grown ups be grown ups and so their research and make their own choice about using MILs services. You have emotional involvement in this, don’t let that drive you down this road. You can’t possibly save every numbnuts who parts with cash for her advice or “healing” and you bear no responsibility for any adult who is duped by her.

[JunkCrumpet]

@ChrisPrattsFace

So let me get this right... you, must be my sister in law, because this is my MIL all over.
Although I could report her because it’s slightly different, I’m too scared it would lead back to me and I couldn’t cope with the uproar 😂

Sounds like we're in the same situation. It's awful isn't it - like waiting for a car crash.

[jackstini]

You should report her to HMRC if nothing else
Just send them a link to her website with the prices and the images of people on the course

Does she have any 'testimonies' on her website??

[ChrisPrattsFace]

So let me get this right... you, must be my sister in law, because this is my MIL all over.
Although I could report her because it’s slightly different, I’m too scared it would lead back to me and I couldn’t cope with the uproar 😂

[Devlesko]

Are you sure she hasn't done some courses through centre of excellence.
They have Diplomas in all sorts of things that you could claim, and they issue certificates.
Really it's up to her clients to check her qualifications, Cancer doesn't remove you of this facility.
You sound very invested in someone you have nc with, just keep your trunk out, she's nothing to do with you now.

[JunkCrumpet]

@HermioneMakepeace

If they’ve got the money to pay £3000 to this charlatan, then more fool them. I have no sympathy for them to be honest. There are enough poor people out there for whom that amount of money could be life-changing. If you’ve got £3000 to fritter away on a course then you don’t deserve sympathy.

I would stay out of it, OP.

I see your point. But if I were alone and had Stage 4 cancer (for example), I think I could convinced to take out a £3000 loan if I thought I could be healed. If my child were sick (touch wood), I'd sell everything I own (and beg, borrow and steal) to get any money to pay anyone who I thought could help (whether or not I'd be stupid for thinking that they could).

[HermioneMakepeace]

If they’ve got the money to pay £3000 to this charlatan, then more fool them. I have no sympathy for them to be honest. There are enough poor people out there for whom that amount of money could be life-changing. If you’ve got £3000 to fritter away on a course then you don’t deserve sympathy.

I would stay out of it, OP.

[JunkCrumpet]

@QuimReaper

My cousin's wife does this crystal healing medium bullshit. It makes my blood boil. She's not even good at it like those really talented cold readers, she's as thick as two short planks and I haven't the faintest idea who goes to see her or why.

Your MIL must be very good to be making that kind of scratch though - are you sure it's 9 genuine people and they're genuinely paying £7K? Does she make high quality video content / have a big online presence etc.? My cousin's wife could never attract that kind of money as she can't spell and occasionally makes grainy videos for Facebook shot from foot height of herself sitting in her shed in her socks prattling incoherently on about crystals.

I don't know if they're genuine people or that they're all paying. I know from her website that the course costs £3000 each and I know that there are photos of the nine of them doing the course - I don't have much more information than that.
She does post a lot online - she has various social media profiles and a website. She has a twitter account where she posts a whole host of homophobic things and posts about abortion and working mothers blah blah blah. She's from a wealthy background and has a fair few wealthy friends. She's in her fifties but her friends are much older and usually widowed - which is why I'm concerned for their welfare. The paranoid voice in the back of my mind thinks she'll manipulate them into changing their will or handing over vast sums of money and then convince them to avoid medical help until they die - but that sounds crazy and is probably me being a bit hysterical.

[JunkCrumpet]

"It reads like OP is stalking her & looking for ways to get revenge."
"I would query whether or not your motives in reporting her are to protect the public or for personal revenge."
In truth, I don't want to get involved. If I wanted revenge, I'd file a lawsuit for the money she stole or get my husband and SIL to report the historical abuse against them. I am getting to a stalking stage because there's something that just gets under my skin and I have that feeling that if I don't do something and someone gets hurt then I'll regret it - and I've tried shaking this feeling and I just can't. To an extent, I'm worried about MIL - I don't want her to end up in prison or in a difficult situation as that would be awful for family members that I do care about.
I just know that I'd feel responsible if I did nothing and something bad happened.

[QuimReaper]

My cousin's wife does this crystal healing medium bullshit. It makes my blood boil. She's not even good at it like those really talented cold readers, she's as thick as two short planks and I haven't the faintest idea who goes to see her or why.

Your MIL must be very good to be making that kind of scratch though - are you sure it's 9 genuine people and they're genuinely paying £7K? Does she make high quality video content / have a big online presence etc.? My cousin's wife could never attract that kind of money as she can't spell and occasionally makes grainy videos for Facebook shot from foot height of herself sitting in her shed in her socks prattling incoherently on about crystals.

[SirGawain]

@HopeClearwater

a circle jerk situation

I wouldn’t use this phrase unless you are VERY sure of what it means ...

There is a non-sexual meaning which the OP is referring to.

[mumwon]

another for HMRC & benefit fraud

[AllsortsofAwkward]

I'm guessing youre talking about relki?

[Patchworkpatty]

Report the benefit fraud.. it will 'disrupt' assist in disrupting her dodgy practices and the investigation may well unearth actual evidence of further criminal activities related to her 'business'

This is my specific area of work. We use it all the time when evidence isn't always immediately obvious but suspected.

[katy1213]

It is definitely illegal to make claims to cure cancer and the starting point for a complaint would be trading standards.

[lljkk]

It reads like OP is stalking her & looking for ways to get revenge.
I don't care what you do, but I hope you do whatever for right reasons.

[SultanasofSwing]

I completely understand why you don't like her, but I would query whether or not your motives in reporting her are to protect the public or for personal revenge. My advice would be to leave well alone. If you are NC, I don't know why you are even looking at her website.