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The original was posted on /r/india by /u/According-Doctor-839 on 2025-12-10 06:01:51+00:00.

I’m posting this because I’m genuinely worried about a close family friend and don’t know how to understand what’s happening or how to help.

A young woman we know (25, working in Pune in an MNC) was in a normal relationship during college. After her sister’s wedding, a man started visiting her family home in rural Maharashtra while she was away for studies/work. He somehow knew and told her family everything about her movements, who she met, where she went, even details about her boyfriend. Her family got influenced by him because he could tell everything. They started following whatever he said.

A year later things escalated. This man shifted to Pune and started living with her in the same apartment. Just the two of them. She now tells people that he “adopted” her. When her boyfriend tried to confront the man, something happened that scared him so much he backed off and left.

Since then, she stopped meeting friends, barely replies to messages, and whenever she does talk, she insists she’s living a luxurious life, recently bought a car, and “has everything she needs”. But these conversations feel scripted and distant. She’s completely isolated from her entire social circle.

We’re worried she might be under coercive control, psychological manipulation, or something cult-like. Her behaviour has changed drastically. She’s cut off her support system. She doesn’t seem to recognise anything strange about living alone with a man who inserted himself into her life through her family.

What exactly does this situation look like to others with more experience? Is this a known pattern of abuse/manipulation? What should friends do in situations where the victim doesn’t realise they’re in danger? Any expert subs or resources are also welcome.

Would appreciate honest perspectives because this feels serious and we don’t want to mishandle it.