Is there a logical explanation to this text situation?

[DFOD]

Connecting with someone new to me in another country by text. Their mobile number is the the country code where they are based. I ask a Q and they immediately reply to me from a UK +44 mobile number. I ignored this for a while and the conversation continued back on the other country mobile. I then ask about the text from the UK mobile and they deny all knowledge despite it being in the language we are conversing in and a direct and specific response to a Q I asked.

Background they don’t speak any English although they present as a lawyer in their mid 30s. They have rejected all what’s app video calls but accepted audio even though they can’t speak English. I have called and texted the UK mobile number repeatedly - it doesn’t get answered. This isn’t a romance situation.

While the website itself and the creator of the website are 'legit', it literally says:

"We only facilitate mutual search for UK sponsors and Ukrainians willing to relocate. We do not provide any checks or references, or verify any information provided by potential sponsors and Ukrainians willing to relocate. "
projectukraine.org.uk/terms-of-service

Go with your gut, OP.

@BattenbergdowntheHatches

Just to say that I call our distributor in Lviv on their mobile several times a day without any connection problems. We are donating to the relief effort and it’s being coordinated from there.

That’s what I thought just from watching the news - if she had said the connection problem was in Kharkiv (where she was) - it would have made more sense.

I think I would say you have to trust your gut. Living with strangers is a risk to both sides, and as there are few resources and limited time to run detailed checks in such an emergency situation, ultimately you should trust your intuition. If something doesn't feel quite right, don't go ahead. It doesn't mean you can't continue to help - either by sponsoring a different person/family or volunteering in a different capacity.

Also, the Government has a 'Homes for Ukraine' scheme where you can register your interest in sponsoring a Ukrainian refugee. Might be worth checking this out.

www.gov.uk/register-interest-homes-ukraine

No idea but I have just had a call from Croatia, the number appears on my phone as 077.... I know they are in Croatia.

@WashedupTroll

No idea but I have just had a call from Croatia, the number appears on my phone as 077.... I know they are in Croatia.

0077 is Croatia?

Op, I suspect someone else is texting you. From here in the uk. Something isn’t right.

I'd withdraw from this one, too many red flags (I know this isn't a romance one!).

Sounds like a scam and dodgy.

Laptop sorry I mean it shows on my phone as a normal mobile number, no +44 or extra details just 07, like it would if a UK person called me.

However I have no idea on this example and you are probably right.

OP, it could be that they called you / texted you direct via one of the messengers such as skype. It comes then through a local commutation center and sometimes as a local number. A friend from Germany calls me like that, it comes up as a German number.

A Ukrainian lawyer can easily have no English, I would not take it as a red flag. Legal education in Ukraine does not carry the same prestige as in the UK, and I would imagine even the majority of people called to the bar there have zero to limited English, unless they are doing international law. All you know she could be doing "legal" paperwork at a local council without even a degree, still would be a "lawyer".

If you want, I'll run a sniff test for you to see if the story adds up (check their social networks etc), I am Ukrainian. I mean, obviously I am also a stranger to you, but if that reassures you in some way.

(32/33 - the mother has said she is 32, then 33 then on a photo of a passport she is 32)

This is normal in many countries (I have no knowledge of Ukraine specifically) but many round ages to nearest rather than going down (it makes sense right, if you're 32 and 364 days old, saying you're 33 is more "accurate")

Not that there aren't other questions of course...

There is a logical explanation as to why someone would be receiving texts on a foreign number but sending them via a UK one, however they would have to deliberately decide to do this so the fact they're feigning ignorance is very suspicious.

There are many websites that allow you to send and receive texts from a selection of mobile numbers in various countries. At the basic end of the spectrum these services are free, but public, so any message received could be viewed by anyone.

Someone could legitimately be receiving SMS messages on their private mobile at no cost to them, but using an online service to send the messages because they are charged for texts by their mobile provider.

In this case though, if it smells like bullshit then it probably is.

@forinborin I have PM’d you.

@sirfredfredgeorge - thanks for this - this adds up as the 32 year old would turn 33 next month.

My other concern as that the 32 year old doesn’t have a whatsapp picture - is that unusual?