How Do I Tackle This?

well obviously not friends - from friend's accounts

I suspect her messenger has been hacked. I have had a couple of those from friends.

It's a classic hack and scam

Why the need to be tactful? I would just call her - or even go and see her - and tell her what you've told us, that the request threw you because you don't know her that well and you can't think that she would ask you for a loan. That way, even if it was her (which is unlikely) then she knows you won't be up for lending money to people you hardly know.

Good idea Elegran

A "safe but tactful" way of replying could be to say, "We'll talk about this when I see you next!" and to phone the person concerned directly to ask whether it was genuine or a hacker. Then if it is genuine (unlikely!) you haven't reacted by shrieking "Scam! Scam!" at a friend in need, and if is a scam (very likely) you haven't committed yourself. Try to get their phone number and report it.

No don’t ignore you must tell her I ve been hacked on FB (nothing about money) but it’s ever so annoying and she needs to know she can let others in her messenger list know

Thanks everyone. I have been Googling this and it looks like a hacking scam. I will contact her tomorrow. I wish I'd done this on Friday but I was so shocked and didn't know what to think. If it had been from someone I know well I'd have telephoned them instantly. Not knowing this person actually made this a really difficult situation for me.

Another one is sending a video saying you need to see this as I think you are in it. That nearly fooled me as it was a close relative and I’m sufficiently self centred and vain to be curious. But something weird about the request stopped me in time.

EllanVannin

I'd do that too PollyDolly.

No!

You must let her know asap

Ive received one or two of these in the past - always a scam. It’s worth contacting the person to tell them as it’s probably gone to all their contacts.
Ive had the amazon voucher one and also the one where they are supposedly on holiday and had their wallet nicked.

I'd do that too PollyDolly.

PollyDolly

Ignore it......forget it.......go for your haircut and don't mention it!

Noooo! Please don't ignore it. Or forget it. And definitely mention it to her. If her Facebook account has been hacked, she needs to know so that she can get it sorted out and let people know not to respond to begging requests.

WM

Yes, I received an e Mail from an acquaintance recently asking if I was ok. I replied yes. Then another one asking me to buy some Amazon gift vouchers for a nephew, £400.

Knew it was iffy as he would never have spent that on a relative!

Rang him, yes, hacked e Mail.

Am sure yours will be the same.

Ignore it......forget it.......go for your haircut and don't mention it!

No, it's not her.

She has been hacked.

A friend sent an email saying he was stuck in Bulgaria with no money; could we send him some so that he could get back home!
DH's cousin recently asked for help too - she needed a loan.

Of course they didn't.

Let her know - by phone,

Calendargirl, thank you. I think I will call her first thing tomorrow morning. She is a part owner of the salon.

I've considered all of these things. I just can't understand what is going on and what to do next.

Yes, I'd agree with Calendargirl, it sounds as if her Facebook/Messenger account may have been hacked. I'd give her a ring and tell her what happened.

It may also be that she was desperate and had tried other people who’d turned her down so she tried you?

Sounds like her e Mail has been hacked, or her phone, or something.

I think you should steer clear - what a scam!