SINGAPORE: A 28-year-old Singaporean man has lost around S$100,000 after being manipulated by a scammer into taking out bank loans.
In an anonymous post on the NUSWhispers Facebook page, he opened up about the financial and emotional toll of the incident, saying he has struggled to watch his peers move ahead with their lives while he works to recover from the debt.
He said the police have since identified “two suspects and are liaising with Interpol.” However, he noted that it would be up to the relevant authorities in the respective countries to apprehend the suspects when they enter or leave the country.
For the 28-year-old, the investigation offers some hope, but it does little to change the financial reality he is now facing.
‘Everyone is achieving major milestones’
The man said one of the hardest parts has been seeing people around him reach major life milestones while he is dealing with a six-figure debt.
“Sometimes I feel like an aeroplane that’s been grounded at the terminal—watching everyone else take off.”
“My peers are travelling, exploring the world, treating their parents to nice meals, buying homes, getting married, and starting families, while I’m here feeling uncertain about what my future will look like.”
Financial insecurity affects his dating life
Despite meeting people who have shown genuine interest in him, the man said he often holds himself back because he feels he has little to offer financially.
“I feel I have nothing to offer financially, especially in Singapore, where conversations around money and financial stability seem to be with the expectation of sharing financial responsibilities equally,” he wrote.
For now, he wants to rebuild his finances before pursuing a serious relationship.
“I aim and want to be financially stable and capable of providing the life I want for my future children before entering into a relationship,” he said.
Trying to find meaning in a painful setback
Rather than focusing entirely on the S$100,000 he lost, the man said he tries to remind himself that there are worse things that could happen.
“I remind myself that there are people who might rather spend a few years repaying a $100,000 debt than face a life-threatening illness or another irreversible tragedy,” he wrote.
His parents have also helped him look at the situation differently.
He said they encouraged him to view the financial loss as a “protection fee,” suggesting that perhaps the money he lost had spared him from an even greater misfortune.
“Whether that’s true or not, it’s a perspective that sometimes brings me comfort,” he said.
At times, he even views the debt as an extremely expensive lesson.
“Sometimes I even think of this debt as an expensive master’s degree or a costly life lesson that I never wanted but one that has changed the way I see the world.”
“I also remind myself that I’m still young (single). I trust that, with time, hard work, and the blessings of God and the Buddhas watching over me, I’ll rebuild my life.”
‘Stay positive and pray to the universe’
In the comments, many netizens praised the man for trying to stay positive.
One told him, “You have already achieved one very big thing—choosing to adopt a very positive attitude—and that is priceless. This will empower you to start looking up soon to see the innumerable opportunities out there and be the muscles for you to stay resilient throughout the life marathon.”
Another netizen told him not to give up hope, saying, “Stay positive and pray to the universe. You have done nothing wrong; maybe the police will nab the scammers, and you may get back the money. Trust that all is good.”
A third added, “It takes confidence to admit you have been scammed. It takes confidence to want to do what’s right even if it’s costly. When you are at rock bottom, the only thing you can do is to keep standing. Praying you’ll have the courage to face each day as it goes, and do your best.”/TISG
Read also: Woman struggles with anxiety after boyfriend enlists for NS: ‘I legit can’t stop crying’
Follow Google News
Join us on WhatsApp
Follow us on Telegram