Emotional Blackmail - lots of money - Help please

[areyoumad]

Hi all

I'm a regular poster on here and in need of some advice please.

My In laws are lovely and have a heart of gold, a young male couple just moved in across from them in December last year (so lived there just three months). They have got friendly with my in laws and it turns out been "borrowing" money from them, it started with a few hundred pounds but has now escalated and they owe then £3000.

A neighbour called us yesterday as they have since asked in three separate letters for another £1000, £350 and £600 - with lots of sob story and how we think you're wonderful etc and we know you've told us that you can't lend us anymore as your struggling but we really would be grateful else we will be homeless etc.

The lovely neighbour made them write up a contract for my in laws which states that they owe £3000 and they will pay it back in £400 installments, however the couple have now accused lovely neighbour of harrasing them and feeling like a criminal. Lovely neighbour rang us last night so worried as the lads were at the in laws again yesterday afternoon crying and begging for more money.

The police are now involved and have warned then that if they contact them in anyway they will be arrested for harrassment.

I will be going to collect the £400 installments (which I think we can go whistle for) at the end of the month.

So the question is, although the money was given freely as they have said it was a loan if they refuse to pay it back can we go to small claims court and pursue it.

I really appreciate you reading and if you could offer any advice.

Thanks

Sorry, I can't offer any advice, but that couple sound despicable.

The Citizens Advice Bureau should be able to help.

Good luck

Your in-laws can sue in the SCC for the return of the debt. Make sure there is evidence of it (presumably in the letters?)

I assume your in-laws aren't falling for their sob stories any more.

What a pair of utter toerags!
I hope your in laws are able to recover the money, but I sadly suspect it's gone for good.

Argh - unfortunately my in laws are still believing that it's their fault for handing the money over and they are lovely people who maybe just got carried away. And they want us to not get involved, but they accept that they don't want them round as they just feel pressured when they are there.

The problem is my in laws get very confused if pushed and they aren't certain the amounts that they have "lent" them.

We do have a signed letter saying " we know we ( toerag 1 and toerag 2) owe you £3000 and we promise you will get every penny back at the rate of £400 per month" this letter is dated Sundays date.

The money was for a car and cooker which has never materialised, about 5 weeks ago, but that still didn't stop them from asking for more for the rent!

Another concern is that they both work with vulnerable people, one in an old folks home and one in a home for mentally ill people, we were considering letting social services know under the POVA act, but will have to not let in laws know else they will be sooooo upset.

If my In laws don't want to do SCC can one of the family members do it on their behalf? and can I self represent? how do I go about small claims court applications etc?
It's not the fact it's £3k (or we suspect around £4.5K) it's the fact that they are probably doing it to others and are merrily gambling the money away (seen by the lovely neighbour who was also asked to loan them money) I just want to teach the little utter shites a lesson and do everything possible to make them pay for what they have done (well legally at least).

I've got 6 letters in total, either asking for money or thanking them for money and saying could they please have some more.

Thanks for the replies and support.

Looks like you have the evidence.

They must sue for the debt themselves, although you can ask to be a McKenzie Friend (google it to get info).

If you ensure you sue for the £3k, you have a signed confession so your in-laws probably won't have to give evidence.

If they are working with vulnerable people, then I'd be concerned as well about what else they are getting up to.