After you hear someone in trouble, you turn on your five senses in the purpose of getting some solutions, but later on you found it out, it is a fake story, it was discovered by meeting one of his nearest accidentally, it was unexpected for him to reveal his simulative story later.
I believe that some people use it as their haven to get whatever they want, as they need you to sympathize with them until they get their purpose.
Hhhhh, this good trick is used for fulfilling their needs. However, manipulation is not good one to play with others feelings and thoughts, because lies will not stay long, it has short ropes. Sooner or later, it will be discovered, and your truth will appear, and then how sad you will be!
finally, I agree with you , you got what you want, but to remind you, that you lost the meaning of friendship, and lost me forever too.