‘I’m their CPF and retirement’: Scam wipes out 30-year-old SG woman who is supporting parents

SINGAPORE: A 30-year-old woman who is currently supporting her parents has turned to social media for advice after a scam wiped out her entire savings, leaving her in deep financial and emotional distress.

Posting anonymously on the NUSWhispers Facebook page on Tuesday (March 31), she shared the full extent of her family’s situation. She explained that she has long been the main source of financial support for her parents, who, according to her, have “very little savings” of their own.

Her mother currently has about S$4,000 in her bank account, while her father has just S$200. She said they are living from one pay cheque to the next, adding that her father frequently borrows money from her but “has been unable to repay it as promised.” Over time, the amount has grown into a five-figure sum.

Her parents also lack sufficient retirement funds. “They don’t have CPF savings for retirement, aside from about S$1,500 in OA. Their house mortgage still has around S$100,000 left, with a monthly repayment of S$1,700. I’m their CPF and retirement. And I’ve been doing my best to support them,” she said.

In an attempt to earn more and better support her parents, she, however, fell victim to a scam that drained all her life savings. “[It was] out of desperation, out of greed,” she wrote. “On top of that, I now have bank loan debts while rebuilding as well. I used to be financially stable, but things took a turn.”

Compounding the stress, her father has developed a chronic cough but refuses to seek medical attention due to the estimated cost of around S$3,000, which the family cannot afford.

“I feel bad, yet helpless because there is nothing much I can do,” she said. “I try my best every day, but life is fragile and scary, isn’t it? We don’t know what script we’re getting. Sometimes I even find myself telling my mum that if any of us were to pass on, it might feel like a release from all this suffering. I used to fear death, but now it feels more like a comfort.”

Carrying the weight of these responsibilities, she reached out to others for guidance, asking: “Has anyone gone through similar difficult times and managed to get through them? I would really appreciate hearing your experiences. Thank you.”

“Hang in there. I’m sure good things will follow.”

The post has since drawn 283 likes and 88 replies, with many netizens expressing concern for the woman and offering practical advice. 

Several commenters encouraged the woman to take things slowly and deal with one issue at a time. They suggested starting with an honest conversation with her father about the money he has been borrowing. They said she could try to understand why he needs it and work out a simple plan with him so he does not have to keep borrowing in the future.

When it comes to his health, some said she should not delay seeking help and should look into subsidised care. One netizen wrote, “Bring him to a polyclinic, get a referral to a government hospital, and seek treatment there. Let them know early on that you are facing financial difficulties, and ask the support staff to refer your case to a medical social worker.”

They added, “There are many subsidy programmes that we are not aware of until we truly need them. The truth is, we beggars can’t be choosers. You need to explain to your dad that if you choose the subsidised route, there may be waiting times for treatment and follow-ups.”

As for easing the strain on their day-to-day expenses, some suggested that the family could consider renting out a spare room if their flat has one. This, they said, could provide a steady source of extra income to help cover bills and improve the family’s overall financial situation.

Alongside practical advice, many netizens also reminded her not to neglect her mental health. One person wrote, “Your pressures are real, but you need to protect your mind. Don’t extrapolate your fears into things that haven’t happened or spend energy on a future problem.”

Another commented, “Hang in there. I’m sure good things will follow. Live below your means.”

A third suggested reaching out for help if it ever felt too much. “There’s always the SOS hotline. I’m a coach and have worked with lots of folks with childhood trauma and mental health struggles. Please reach out. You’re gonna be ok. It may not feel like it right now, but you’re gonna be ok,” they wrote.

In other news, an HR professional has sparked discussion online after claiming that many Gen Z applicants do not seem particularly interested in the roles they apply for, as they “won’t pick up or return her calls.”

In a post on the r/singaporejobs forum, she shared her recent experience while hiring for a junior role that pays “well above the market rate.” According to her, the position drew strong interest, receiving around 60 applications within just one week.

Read more: ‘Nobody is going to chase you into a job. Pick up the phone!’: HR complains Gen Z job applicants won’t pick up or return calls