In a startling revelation shared on the Reddit forum r/askSingapore, a young man from Singapore expressed his deep anxiety after his cousin, who borrowed a hefty S$8,000 from him, abruptly went silent and stopped responding to his messages.

In his candid post, the man recounted how his cousin had approached him in the second quarter of last year, claiming he needed the money for a legal matter. “He promised he would pay it back, and I trusted him completely,” the man revealed. Unfortunately, that trust soon turned into a bitter experience, as his cousin's assurances transformed into excuses, eventually leading to a complete communication breakdown.

Determined to resolve the situation, the man sought counsel from his uncle and aunt, only to uncover shocking news: they had also lent their son a staggering S$60,000. Adding to the family drama, he discovered that his cousin had also borrowed S$800 from his younger brother, who is still a student at the polytechnic.

“It's frustrating,” he lamented. “My cousin is in his 30s, able-bodied, but chooses not to work. He seems more interested in schemes to make quick money,” he expressed, noting that his cousin’s parents had only agreed to reimburse him S$200 a month starting next year.

The young man has been grappling with a whirlwind of emotions, feeling angry and frustrated that he, who has only recently entered the workforce, has lost his hard-earned savings. “I keep thinking about how that S$8,000 could have been used for my wedding or a future home,” he shared. The emotional toll has affected his temperament, leaving him anxious and irritable.

In response to his plight, numerous Reddit users expressed their sympathy, with many recounting their own painful experiences of being deceived by relatives. One commenter shared, “I understand what you’re going through. My family faced a similar betrayal. I found peace by letting go of the lost money, focusing on rebuilding, and forgiving the relative—albeit from a distance.”

Many commenters emphasized lessons learned from such harrowing experiences. One suggested, “Only lend what you can afford to lose forever. If someone asks for more, that’s a red flag!” Others pointed out the importance of considering the financial implications for the entire family, suggesting that putting financial pressure on his uncle and aunt could be unjust given their own challenges.

In a parallel story, another social media user discussed his discomfort with a different family dynamic, where his girlfriend's sister repeatedly borrowed money, despite consistently repaying it. He realized the need for boundaries, stating, “I’m under no obligation to lend money, and it’s becoming uncomfortable.”

This ongoing saga serves as a reminder for many about the complexities of family finances and the heartbreak that can ensue when trust is breached. As this young man navigates the repercussions of his cousin's actions, many wonder how he will cope with the emotional fallout and if he’ll ever see his S$8,000 again.