I did once send a poster some money. I did that knowing that she and her whole situation might be faked. I felt, however, that if her situation were true then I wanted to help financially and as I did have that money to spare (I'd been saving for something) then it was OK to give it.
I have no idea whether it just provided her with a curry and a load of beers. I like to think it helped her pay for a barrister, and that her need was greater than mine at that time.
I think MNHQ delete far too much as it is, and very often the wrong people. I tend to think that posts should not be deleted and threads should not be pulled. The only exceptions being conning posts/threads as has happened recently.
I think it is ridiculous to ban people from speaking of things that have happened on the boards. It is important that posters can discuss what happens to them, not just in real life, but also here. It is also a timely reminder for all of us that people here are not necessarily who they seem to be and to beware.
As MN gets bigger and bigger, there will be more people who are naive, challenged in some way, or vulnerable. They need to be able to read a thread where posters who have been taken in can talk of that experience. It happens here too, is the message, watch out and be careful.
That goes for all of us really. It is easy to forget that anyone here may be Dave the Hairy Handed Trucker at the other end of the screen' it is possible for old hands to be taken in too. Time reminders.
MN's modding is bewildering at present.