He took loans to help a friend move abroad: Later, ends up in Rs 5 lakh debt trap and jobless after same friend stops taking calls

A software developer from India recently shared a cautionary story online, detailing how trust in a childhood friend led him into a financial and emotional crisis. The man, who was earning around ₹12 lakh per annum at a product-based company, revealed that he ended up in a debt trap of ₹5 lakh after helping a friend move abroad for higher studies.

Lending for Friendship, Paying the Price

According to the Reddit post, the developer supported his friend in monthly installments totaling ₹8 lakh to help him pursue a master’s degree in New Zealand. “I trusted him completely,” he wrote. However, shortly after moving, his friend started avoiding calls and messages and eventually disappeared entirely from his life.

This sudden disappearance left the software developer in a difficult situation. He had taken multiple loans from apps and NBFCs to fund his friend’s education, and now, with no repayment in sight, he is struggling under mounting debt. Compounding his problems, he was laid off three months ago, leaving him without a stable income to manage EMIs or credit card bills.

The Emotional Toll

The developer admitted that his family has lost trust in him, and he feels financially and emotionally crushed. “My family has lost trust in me and sees me as a failure. I feel financially and emotionally destroyed,” he said. Fellow Reddit users highlighted that job loss does not define a person’s worth, advising him to focus on securing employment before worrying about his friend.

Many users suggested legal steps to recover the money, including collecting proof of transfers, messages, and agreements. One Redditor advised, “Take printout of proofs and talk to a lawyer. A small threat of an FIR should be enough to get his family going.” Others suggested contacting the friend’s family or filing complaints with authorities in India and potentially New Zealand, though success is not guaranteed.

Moving Forward

The consensus among commenters on Reddit was to prioritize self-stability first. “Your focus should be more on getting a job, no doubt what your friend has done isn’t right, but in your current situation getting a job should be your priority,” wrote one user. Many advised dealing with mental health, setting boundaries in trust, and gradually repaying debt once a steady income returns.