While these are indeed good warning signs to look out for, it is also useful to think about your own part in the transaction. I sense something of a victim mentality here. Not everyone who says "Please, let me do that for you" or "I'm just trying to help" has manipulative aims in mind. Sometimes it is worth taking people at their word, even if you do get burned on occasion. Being hyper-alert to flattery may lead you to reject well-meaning compliments and feed you own poor self-esteem. That friend may be making empty promises because you are pushing the parameters of your friendship beyond the boundaries they are comfortably with, and they aren't very good at saying "No." Be cautious, sure, but don't spend your life thinking people always have the worst intentions.