It can be exhausting for the one giving aid, though. I have been supporting a friend by drawing down some savings and foregoing some luxuries. I judge keeping food on his table more valuable than those luxuries. But I don't want to keep it up forever.
I won't dispute that, but this is someone I knew in real life, not just an Internet acquaintance.
I can't fully discount the possibility they're deceiving me, but it would be out of character for them to do so.