Help! Lent money to a friend in the USA, now silence.

wrightlilly

Hi. Wondering if some wizzes on here could help me out.

For my sins, I lent a friend (who lives in the East Coast of the USA) USD$1,100 in May 2019. He was adamant when I lent it to him, that he would repay me "at some point". In August 2019 I had it confirmed by his father on email that I would "definitely get my money back", and that it would happen in January 2020, and to let him know if his son didn't pay me back. In January 2020, my friend got in contact to say he would repay me in March 2020. I confirmed that this was ok. Eight days ago, nearing the end of March, I email my friend with my bank details and to confirm that I was expecting the money and to please confirm receipt of email and to confirm when funds are sent to my account. I received no response. Subsequently (yesterday), I sent a chaser to my friend and his father over email, to confirm I was expecting payment. Still nothing.

Maybe I am a bit of a sap, and believe the best in humanity, however I was pretty sure that he might well pay me back, especially after his father got involved. It is no longer about the money now, more about the principle that a person you think as a friend, who you were genuinely trying to help out at a time of need, could do this to another human. What are the chances of recovering the money and what processes are there to do this? It doesn't look like the USA has a reciprocal agreement with the Courts in the UK (like there is in place in Canada), so I may struggle. I am willing to pay a small bit to escalate this if required, and I have other (more genuine) friends based in the USA who may be able to assist in logistics and processes if needed.

Any help much appreciated! Thank-you in advance.

[Deleted User]

The chances of getting it back are virtually nil, even if he was in the UK.

Your only hope is that his father whips his butt and sends you a few quid.

jonesMUFCforever

As Coronavirus has shut down the USA and Uk even if you had received a reply there may well have been a delay in him sending the payment. Patience.

[Deleted User]

I'd say ignore the "father" factor its irrelevant, and kiss goodbye to the friend and money, lesson learnt perhaps? If only you had signed up to MSE before the event and not after and seen the many examples of why lending money to "friends" is the worst idea in the world.
Sorry I know that's not what you wanted to hear.

diggingdude

wrightlilly said:

Hi. Wondering if some wizzes on here could help me out.

For my sins, I lent a friend (who lives in the East Coast of the USA) USD$1,100 in May 2019. He was adamant when I lent it to him, that he would repay me "at some point". In August 2019 I had it confirmed by his father on email that I would "definitely get my money back", and that it would happen in January 2020, and to let him know if his son didn't pay me back. In January 2020, my friend got in contact to say he would repay me in March 2020. I confirmed that this was ok. Eight days ago, nearing the end of March, I email my friend with my bank details and to confirm that I was expecting the money and to please confirm receipt of email and to confirm when funds are sent to my account. I received no response. Subsequently (yesterday), I sent a chaser to my friend and his father over email, to confirm I was expecting payment. Still nothing.

Maybe I am a bit of a sap, and believe the best in humanity, however I was pretty sure that he might well pay me back, especially after his father got involved. It is no longer about the money now, more about the principle that a person you think as a friend, who you were genuinely trying to help out at a time of need, could do this to another human. What are the chances of recovering the money and what processes are there to do this? It doesn't look like the USA has a reciprocal agreement with the Courts in the UK (like there is in place in Canada), so I may struggle. I am willing to pay a small bit to escalate this if required, and I have other (more genuine) friends based in the USA who may be able to assist in logistics and processes if needed.

Any help much appreciated! Thank-you in advance.

This is your problem, they can pay it back when they die from their estate

macman

The cost of suing him and then recovering it in the US would vastly outweigh your current loss: write it off and consider it a lesson learnt.
And, from a contractual perspective, you appear to have granted him an indefinite loan, interest free. What his dad promised after the event is utterly irrelevant, your arrangement was not with him.

DCFC79

macman said:

The cost of suing him and then recovering it in the US would vastly outweigh your current loss: write it off and consider it a lesson learnt.
And, from a contractual perspective, you appear to have granted him an indefinite loan, interest free. What his dad promised after the event is utterly irrelevant, your arrangement was not with him.

I dont think the OP will be coming back.

macman

Neither will his $1,100....

DCFC79

macman said:

Neither will his $1,100....

No the money is gone, long gone.

Luckily its not more.