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The original was posted on /r/amitheasshole by /u/throwawayRepulsive_B on 2024-01-21 19:34:48+00:00.
My son has an iPhone with child locks and parental controls to monitor his app usage. I also search through his phone every week. However, I decided to be more lenient, trusting him a bit more as he gets older. Which was a terrible idea. Recently, when I checked his phone after a few weeks, I discovered an app called "Text Now," which allows users to generate new phone numbers. There was a text thread with my half-brother's number.
It became apparent that my son had been posing as a woman, claiming to be pregnant and requesting abortion money from my brother. Admittedly, my half-brother is a bit wealthy and in our family he’s known for his occasional flings, but this was an outrageous manipulation of his trust.
Shocked, I confronted my son, who admitted he got the idea from TikTok and didn't fully comprehend the gravity of his actions. We took swift action, confiscating all his electronics, educating him on the legal consequences, and refunding my brother's money with a message explaining it was a scam.
Now, the dilemma lies in whether I should disclose to my half-brother that it was my son who orchestrated this deception. My husband believes transparency is essential, as my brother deserves to know the truth. However, my concern is the potential fallout for my son, given the legal ramifications and potential anger from my brother.
While we're not exceptionally close, I worry that my brother might press charges or take other extreme measures if he discovers the deception and realizes it was orchestrated by a child. Am I the asshole for choosing not to disclose my son's involvement to protect him, or should I prioritize honesty and face the consequences? I'm open to your insights and opinions.