Sims befriended with cheats not appearing in the Charisma Skill Journal

[Seabody]

I've never really played with Charisma in all my Simming years. So, last night, I decided to give it a shot.
My sim was happily building her skill, using a little influence from TestingCheats to get her friends. After completing her second skill challenge, I noticed one that should've been fufilled isn't. It is the challenge to know 20 Sims - albeit having around 30 Best Friends, the counter remains firmly stuck at a measly 4.
The only explanation I can offer is this - she met 4 sims online, and the rest were met with cheats - does this not register because she hasn't physically met them?

[MoMoll]

Did you use the cheats for the mailbox? When I use cheats to boost charisma, I just increase the relationship bar when she's talking to them. After she gets the 20 friends, the rest fall in her lap.

[Seabody]

I did use mailbox cheats. I didn't have the patience to go to the park at 2am and talk to people.

[MoMoll]

I just have her say Hi, then I put the relationship bar to Friend and she says Goodbye. Easy