S’pore Redditor worried about 70-year-old father’s relationship with masseuse from China: ‘I don’t want him to get scammed’
A woman has turned to Reddit for advice, claiming that her 70-year-old father has given more than $10,000 in cash and gifts to a foreign masseuse he is “in love” with.
Redditor Lost_Serve4541 shared her situation in a post titled ‘When does it cross into a scam?’ on the AskSingapore subreddit on April 21.
In her post, the 37-year-old daughter claims her father has been “dating” a 42-year-old divorcee from China who has a teenage child. She adds that her father has sent her more than $10,000 in cash and has even bought her branded luxury goods.
Lost_Serve4541 felt that this was abnormal, as she described her father as “extremely thrifty”, adding that her family is “not well off”.
She was also concerned about the masseuse as she described her workplace as a “dirty massage parlour” based on customer reviews and a video warning about illegal services offered there.
“My mum already passed away, and while I don’t mind him finding another woman to keep him company, I don’t want him to get scammed.
“I can’t talk him out of this because he’s extremely stubborn and will definitely get defensive about it. It seems like he will not listen to me anyway,” says the original poster.
‘When does a ‘relationship’ cross the line into a scam?’
Lost_Serve4541’s post has garnered over 450 upvotes and 195 comments, with many suggesting to let the father be, and few seeming to think the relationship was a scam.
“Your dad spent his whole life giving back to the family… let him have some companionship,” said one Redditor.
“It’s a willing buyer-seller transaction, just let him be. At least he is enjoying the last moments of his life while it lasts,” said another.
However, many netizens told the original poster to be prepared for her father’s money to be drained by the romance.
“Just go on with your life and don’t hope for any inheritance and don’t give him any money once he gets low,” said a Redditor. “This is a legal scam. I think just accept it that he is happier but going to be much poorer,” another warned.
Some felt that it may be true love. Or at least her father’s needs are met in the relationship.
“Your dad is an adult and can wish to live his life any way he wants. What gives you the right to assume the PRC is scamming? Probably your dad is getting his emotional and/or physical needs satisfied by the masseuse, and he just wants to reward her for that,” a netizen pointed out.
However, some said the father could end up depleting his savings, potentially leaving the original poster to support him.
“There is a legitimate danger that she may persuade him to take out loans, invest in scam businesses, pay for or even house her ‘friends’ when they visit, etc. Anyone who loves their parents will not want them to be unduly pressured, guilt-tripped, or threatened,” said one Redditor, who also suggested spending more time with the father to help him deal with his expensive “addiction”.
One Redditor offered, probably in jest, to help Lost_Serve4541 gather enough evidence to get her father’s love interest deported.
“Give me her contact info in DM I go try her – give you the evidence you need so she gets deported,” said the Redditor.
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