My sister gave me the silent treatment at dinner after my best friend bailed on a crucial meeting to stop a $10,000 scam

I (29M) was at my mum Helen’s (55F) house for our usual Sunday dinner last week. My sister Chloe (32F) was there too. We’ve always been close, but things have been tense since I told her about the mess I’m in.

About three weeks ago, my best friend Jess introduced me to this guy she said was an investment advisor. I trusted her—we’ve known each other since high school. He seemed legit at first, but then the story started shifting. He wanted $10,000 upfront for a “guaranteed return.” I got cold feet and asked Jess to come with me to a meeting I set up to confront him. She said yes. Then, the day of, she ghosted. Didn’t show, didn’t answer her phone. I ended up going alone and realised I was being scammed. I’m still out the $5,000 I already gave him.

At dinner, Mum asked how I was doing. I told them the whole thing—how Jess flaked, how I’m pretty sure she was in on it or at least too weak to stop it. Chloe didn’t say a word. She just stared at her plate. I tried to include her, asked if she’d ever heard of this guy. Nothing. She finished eating, then pulled Mum into the kitchen. I heard her whisper, “Liam’s being paranoid. He needs to drop it. He’s going to ruin everything.”

I felt cold rage. Not at the scam—at her. She wasn’t even listening.

Later, after Chloe left, Mum sat me down. She looked uncomfortable and said, “Chloe’s been in touch with that advisor. She asked me not to tell you.” My stomach dropped. I asked if Chloe knew him before this. Mum just shrugged and said she didn’t know.

I called Chloe last night and asked point-blank why she’s protecting a stranger over me. She said I’m being reckless and should just cut Jess off and forget the whole thing. Then she said, “If you don’t, I’ll stop speaking to you.” I told her that’s emotional blackmail. She hung up.

We’ve been siblings for 29 years. She’s never done this before.

Now Mum’s trying to get us to sit down and talk at dinner next Sunday. I agreed, but I feel like I’m walking into a trap. Chloe’s already shown she’ll freeze me out to get her way. And I still don’t know if she’s worried about me or if she’s somehow involved.

Am I overreacting by refusing to drop the investigation? Would you put up with a sibling using silence as a weapon?