My niece’s family spent her $47,000 life savings while she was abroad

Some problems in life simply do not have resolutions and serve only as cautionary tales, especially those that stem from giving money to family members.

My niece worked abroad in Japan for five years and earned about VND1.2 billion (US$47,300). She asked her family to hold onto the money for her, as she intended to use it to buy land and start a business upon her return. However, her family, having gained a reputation for having a child working abroad, began spending extravagantly on new motorcycles and furniture.

I knew the money was her hard-earned savings, but I was unable to intervene. Additionally, her mother used some of the funds to support her other two daughters. Upon my niece’s return, her family simply told her that her life savings were all gone.

Hearing that from her family, my niece lost faith in them. When she shared her story, most people simply advised her to let it go and start anew, as no one knew how to help.

The trend of young people working abroad has risen in recent years, with many sending money home. Unfortunately, some families misuse these funds, wasting the hard work of their loved ones.

Dependency and extravagant spending are common issues. Some families holding large amounts of money become eager to invest it, only to be scammed out of their fortune.

Regardless of family ties, if you are asked to hold someone’s money, do not spend it without permission.

Should my niece have kept the money herself?

*This opinion was translated into English with the assistance of AI. Readers’ views are personal and do not necessarily match VnExpress’ viewpoints.