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(Photo from Threads)
Amid soaring gold prices, a man only discovered that his 15-year collection of gold coins—worth about HK$3.5 million—had been secretly cashed out to pay for his brother's wedding apartment.
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The man posted his story on social media yesterday, revealing he had bought gold monthly since graduation as a long-term investment. When he tried to sell some during the current high gold prices, he found his safe empty.
His mother confessed she had sold everything to help his brother secure a flat for marriage, promising the brother would repay him gradually.
Gold out, home lost
The man questioned why he should sacrifice his own dream of owning a home, only to be told by his mother to start saving again because his brother’s wedding could not proceed without an apartment.
The argument escalated when his father, furious, grabbed a kitchen knife and ordered him to leave, accusing him of making a fuss over money. Heartbroken, the man packed and checked into a hotel, saying his heart sank as he too wanted his own flat.
In WhatsApp messages, he gave his brother a three-day ultimatum to return the full amount or face police and media exposure.
The brother replied that they could discuss it, as he needed the money for marriage, and offered to repay one-third within the week.
The man insisted the gold was his and there was nothing to discuss, lamenting how money had turned his brother into a stranger.
He shared that he still had HK$800,000 in savings and earned HK$70,000 monthly, seeking advice from netizens. The post went viral, drawing sympathy and some skepticism.
He later clarified the story was real, noting his mother knew the safe code and had helped buy the gold. Receipts existed but were taken during the sale as proof was required.
Final goodbye with a “wedding gift”
After an intense online discussion, he updated at 8pm yesterday with a painful compromise: he would voluntarily give one-third (about HK$1.1 million) to his brother as a wedding gift.
“As elder brother, I’ve done my utmost. Our bond ends here,” he wrote.
The brother promised to repay the remaining HK$2.75 million by the end of February.
The man decided to move out permanently, confirmed he would not attend the wedding, and chose not to press charges, citing concern for his parents’ health and his own character.
He said he would delete the post if repayment happened on time, though he was reluctant because of the supportive comments.
Legal implications
In response to Sing Tao Daily, the sister publication of The Standard, lawyer Vitus Leung Wing-hang explained that taking and selling the gold without consent constitutes theft, punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment. Breach of family trust and possible conspiracy could worsen the charge.
Repayment does not erase the crime; he compared it to returning a stolen candy bar after being caught.
