What do you think, would you believe this to be innocent?

I'm not sure which part you are asking whether or not it is innocent about. The call or the guy's answers? The call sounds obviously fake - anyone who has been to new york city has heard that sort of line a million times. As for his answers, he got defensive because to a guy, that sort of line of questions says, "I don't believe you". Hey, maybe he did lie. Maybe there was something going on? Did he have a reason to hide that from you? Are you two involved in anyway? Why would he want to hide something like that from you? if you aren't involved, if his relationship with this girl would have no impact on your relationship, then why would he have reason to hide it from you and if so, then continuing to question him about it would seem like you don't trust him.
Ok - that was convoluted - but hey, it's a guy answer, take it for what it's worth :)

could be a completely innocent situation. She may not know him well, but if her brother couldn't help her or wouldn't, is irrelevant because as her brothers' friend she may have been able to acquire his number through her brother or other means......it is the age of electronic information you know......

It does sound fishy to me.....I agree with you why would she have his number???? But hey...She could have gotten it from her brothers phone.....Or some other way....

And as far as the money goes....There has to be a reason why she does not ask her brother...Or a reason why he would say No...... So if I was him...I would say no also....For in giving her money....Shows that she means more to him than he is wanting to admit

This man is definitely not being honest with you! What woman would ring a man who she has only met once when she is already in a vulnerable position? Would you do that? I certainly wouldn't, If I were you I would keep this man at arms length!

It does sound a bit odd to me but then I'm an on line skeptic. The real question is...has he been trying to borrow money from you? That's a major red flag.

I guess I don't see the big deal. There's a lot of crazy people out there. Has he lied to you before? Is he just a friend or is there more to it? If he's just a friend, then what does it matter how well he knows her? Besides, she's asking for his money .... not his body .... let him decide if he wants to risk loaning it to her. I guess I just don't understand what business it is of yours anyway - unless he's your bf? ... and I mean more than just your online bf too. If you are hoping the relationship will advance to that - well, this might not be the best way to show him that you trust him to make the right decisions without you breathing down his neck.... IDK maybe I'm missing something here ... but if the guy says he's only met her once and has given you no reason to doubt him on other things ... I'd probably try to believe him until proven otherwise ... why beg for trouble?

I don't think it's innocent for the sister to ask him for money, but I don't think it's any reflection on him. Strangers ask others for money all the time (advertisement, charities, beggars, etc). Also, maybe that one time meeting left an impression on her that she could come to him. I wouldn't distrust him unless he's hitting you up for money.

I could see if she needed a ride to the airport and her brother was supposed to pick her up but pulled a 'no show' on her for her to call him. Great way to show her brother just how much of a schmuck he was for not showing up by calling one of his friends who would most definitely bust his chops for it, but this is not that scenario. Instead she's calling asking for a loan for a 'ticket home'; forget about her brother, the rest of her family, friends, etc. she calls some friend of her brother's she has only met nearly a year earlier for money? While I guess anything is possible this sounds really suspicious to me.

I wouldn't read too much into that...Just put yourself in her shoes..."What's the hurt in asking???At worst he'll say NO right??"