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I give my father privacy like I have given everyone privacy. I have never had interest in “snooping.”

Because of dad letting his phone getting taken over by random apps on his Android phone popping up ads everywhere, I had to sit down with him and address the risk of his loneliness.

2 months ago, I was making his dinner and could see him on some type of dating platform. Dad is 67. He is decling across the board, and is definitely bait for teams of sharks who manipulate and rob men.

I could see he was looking at profiles of much younger women. He was zooming in on their chests. I didn’t say anything, but realized he was setting himself up as a target.

Tonight, his phone was receiving notifications from dating groups on Facebook. He has published personal information, and has started communications with scammers half his age (my age) to fill emptiness.

I sat down with him to explain, to try to explain, that he is a target. Initially, he was defensive. He was receiving messages from much younger women.

This was one of my biggest concerns. He was open to receiving my warnings. What that leads to is yet to be determined.

I’m faced with wanting to monitor his conversations when I’m someone who respects privacy.

I recorded our conversation. I’m very worried he will get tricked. I explained how the hustle works. He had already installed and started using WhatsApp to communicate with one of them.

That’s all I can share right now.

I give my father privacy like I have given everyone privacy. I have never had interest in “snooping.” Because of dad letting his phone getting taken over by random apps on his Android phone popping up ads everywhere, I had to sit down with him and address the risk of his loneliness. 2 months ago, I was making his dinner and could see him on some type of dating platform. Dad is 67. He is decling across the board, and is definitely bait for teams of sharks who manipulate and rob men. I could see he was looking at profiles of much younger women. He was zooming in on their chests. I didn’t say anything, but realized he was setting himself up as a target. Tonight, his phone was receiving notifications from dating groups on Facebook. He has published personal information, and has started communications with scammers half his age (my age) to fill emptiness. I sat down with him to explain, to try to explain, that he is a target. Initially, he was defensive. He was receiving messages from much younger women. This was one of my biggest concerns. He was open to receiving my warnings. What that leads to is yet to be determined. I’m faced with wanting to monitor his conversations when I’m someone who respects privacy. I recorded our conversation. I’m very worried he will get tricked. I explained how the hustle works. He had already installed and started using WhatsApp to communicate with one of them. That’s all I can share right now.

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[–] • 0 pt

Tough situation. Considering his mental state you can never be sure you got through to him be it you, his BIL or someone else. I’m no IT guy, but are there any programs or blocks you can put on his phone/pc?

Predatory people suck.You never know who they’re gonna be either. Before I was able to move three doors down from my mom when she started get’n goofy a neighbor got her to pay for her new roof. I guess I got lucky in that using her PC was too complicated and frustrating for her at some point and she just kind of forgot about it. That was before the smartphone. So yeah are there any kind of child lock type of apps you can put on his phone?

[–] • 1 pt

Right now I can only keep my eyes open. And he thinks he is sneaky with some of the stuff he dies but he’s such a terrible liar.

It really is true that we can revert back to being children.

[–] • 1 pt

Right on down to shit’n and piss’n ourselves.

Think I mentioned to you before, just when you think you get a handle on one thing they throw you for another loop somewhere else. Never a dull moment. Sometimes it’s humorous and harmless, other times quite concerning.

All you can do is do your best for them as best you can. Don’t beat yourself up over things you can’t control. It’s the toddler stage, independent enough, but oh boy the mischief and mayhem they can conjure up with that fading adult brain when eyes are not upon them. It’s a good chance your current situation and worries will soon evaporate and he will move on to some other way to drive you and himself crazy. ; )

[–] • 1 pt

Spot on. Thanks for the replies.

The way things are right now, this is the only way I can talk about any of this.