Munchausen by Internet

[brocko]

Hi guys, I found this one interesting and kind of relevant I suppose. I'm sure it's happened here before.

http://www.smh.com.au/technology/tec...419-1dm9l.html

[Bonnette]

Very informative article. I've seen a few older posts with references to that having happened here, and it's probably going on in many health-related forums.

[LindaT]

Yes, it has happened here before. I was naive why people would want to impersonate others just for a reaction or sympathy.

[NoDecafPlz]

Shouldn't it always be "buyer beware" when getting emotionally invested, whether online or otherwise?

Don't get me wrong, these people are obviously warped, but doesn't an individual (and the community if the format is such) have some responsibility
to guard itself. Could it be that coming a city environment, locking your door just makes good sense?

Also, on a scale of "warpedness," where does this fall with say, Devos?

[Eileen]

It happened here with an entire list of characters all supposedly in one family. I guess I was one of the more naive ones here, as I was badly hurt by the whole thing. I had invested a lot, and when it was discovered to be a fraud it tore my heart out for awhile. The only thing I have been able to tell myself as some sort of comfort is that the person just has a different form of illness/disability, and to try to feel compassion towards her/him, but that doesn't mean I enjoyed being played.

[LindaT]

Originally Posted by NoDecafPlz

Shouldn't it always be "buyer beware" when getting emotionally invested, whether online or otherwise?

Don't get me wrong, these people are obviously warped, but doesn't an individual (and the community if the format is such) have some responsibility
to guard itself. Could it be that coming a city environment, locking your door just makes good sense?

Also, on a scale of "warpedness," where does this fall with say, Devos?

I know that now Joe, but did not before. Just not internet savvy and maybe a bit sheltered in why people would do such a thing.
I'm more careful now. I care deeply about some of the "real" people here, but in a different light.

[NoDecafPlz]

I love that women are this way more than men, but I don't want to see the ladies get vampired...unless it's me.

[Timaru]

Better they satisfy their attention cravings on-line than in real life.

This case rocked the UK back in the early 1990's.

Allitt's motives have never been fully explained. According to one theory, Allitt herself showed symptoms of factitious disorder, also known as Munchausen syndrome. Munchausen syndrome by proxy, also known as factitious disorder by proxy may explain her actions.[8] This controversial disorder is described as involving a pattern of abuse in which a perpetrator ascribes to, or physically falsifies illnesses in someone under their care, in order to attract attention.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beverley_Allitt

[jody]

I always wondered how he typed so fast with one eye. and they all seemed to type the same.
yes it was a kick in the heart.
I said prayers for them. I just cant accept that anyone would want to be a whole family of gimps, let alone just one.

I wondered if it was a banned member from the past having us on for revenge. see how far we would get drawn in before someone called suspicion.

[NoDecafPlz]

Originally Posted by Timaru

Better they satisfy their attention cravings on-line than in real life.

This case rocked the UK back in the early 1990's.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beverley_Allitt

Oh my God.

I don't care for the death penalty because I never want an innocent person sent to death, but here...if any case ever called for it, my word.