A 60-year-old man in Singapore, who is a retiree, gave a masseuse that he met at a massage parlour $15,000, before reporting her to the police after the woman allegedly refused to pay him back the money, according to Shin Min Daily News.
A Kind Gesture Turns Costly
The retiree, Mr Wu, learned that the 42-year-old masseuse from China was having financial problems. Determined to lend a helping hand, he began frequenting the establishment regularly, spending over S$1,000 each month to support her sales efforts.
Their bond deepened over the years, and by 2020, Wu and the masseuse were dating. Wu, separated from his wife for several years, found solace in this newfound relationship. The masseuse, too, was facing her own challenges, including a pending divorce due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
As their relationship grew, so did Wu’s generosity. He showered her with extravagant gifts amounting to about $20,000, including diamond rings, necklaces, and furniture when she moved into a new place. Love seemed to be blossoming, but it was about to take an unexpected turn.
Financial Struggles Abroad
With the pandemic affecting employment opportunities, the masseuse returned to China in 2021. Despite the distance, they maintained their connection through regular video calls.
However, the masseuse was unemployed and began asking Wu for financial assistance, promising to repay him once she returned to Singapore and found a job.
Trusting her implicitly, Wu sent her nearly S$15,000 through a remittance company in five separate transactions between May 2021 and April 2022. He considered it a loan, a testament to his faith in their relationship.
A Bitter Homecoming
Finally, in September 2022, the masseuse returned to Singapore. Wu was eager to welcome her, picking her up from the airport and providing temporary accommodation. He even continued to show his affection by buying her tonic soup every week when she complained about her demanding new job.
However, to Wu’s shock, their relationship took a sudden and bitter turn in December 2022. The masseuse cut off all contact with him, leaving Wu bewildered and hurt. What stung even more was her refusal to repay the S$15,000 he had lent her.
Feeling betrayed and desperate, Wu decided to take legal action. He filed a police report, accusing the masseuse of being “ungrateful” for not repaying the loan he had extended in good faith.
A Denial of Romance and Debt
In a surprising turn of events, the masseuse denied that she and Wu had ever been in a romantic relationship. According to her, they were close friends, but Wu had attempted to pursue her romantically. She claimed that they had cleared the air regarding their relationship in December, after which she had blocked Wu’s contact.
Moreover, the masseuse vehemently denied owing Wu any money, asserting that she had never received the S$15,000 in question. She challenged Wu to provide evidence of the alleged debt and suggested a face-to-face meeting to resolve the matter.
In a countermove, the masseuse also filed a police report, seeking legal intervention to deal with what she viewed as harassment from Wu. She alleged that Wu had not only requested money from her but had also left accusatory comments on her work-related social media platforms.