How to move forward with my [31M], brother [23M] after he drained my savings?

r/

I’m 31, male, and I have terminal cancer… Been doing treatment for over a year now. It’s been rough. Physically, mentally, financially. One of the only things that’s been keeping me going is this idea I’ve had — a trip. A real trip. See a few places I’ve always dreamed of before things get worse. I’ve been saving every bit I can for over a year to make it happen. I feel like that’s the most amazing thing i can do… see the world. see the beauty.

To save money, I had to move back in with my step family. Not something I wanted to do but it made sense. No rent means I can actually put money aside. The problem is my younger brother (23) lives here too. He’s an addict (not drugs i don’t think but he’ drinks a lot, plays computer games all the time and spends all his money in the games) and has been for a while. My family just looks the other way. They baby him. Make excuses. Act like it’s not a big deal.

Couple weeks ago I woke up, checked my account like usual, and the money was just… gone. All of it. Thousands. I freaked out. Went through everything, checked my phone, saw a payment transfer had been sent while I was asleep. He literally went into my phone and sent himself the money through an app. Didn’t even try to hide it. Phone has a password. I have NO idea how he knows my password.

I confronted him. He just said he was gonna pay me back. Yeah right. We both know that’s not happening. I lost it. I’ve put everything into saving for this. This was my one thing. So I told everyone. I showed proof to our extended family, his new fiancée, his restaurant job. I didn’t hold back. He ended up quitting his job and his fiancée might leave him.

Now my family’s pissed at me. They’re saying I overreacted. That I shouldn’t have ruined his life over money. That the bank or company might reverse it (they won’t…. I’ve already tried and nobody’s helping me, not even the bank, and I’m not in the US so it’s not that simple). The money’s just… gone.

They’re acting like I should’ve kept it quiet. Like I should’ve talked to them first. But no one ever does anything when it’s him. They make excuses. I’m sick of it. He stole my future. He took the one thing I was holding on to.

I will receive HELL from my mom if i try and press charges and be forced to leave. I’m the step son and he’s her biological son. I’ve generally been considered part of the family, but my dad has since died and i don’t have a full deck with them.

I need advice on how to move forward with my relationship with my brother because i’m feeling all sorts of conflicted.

Comments

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  2. This_Queen-1962 Avatar
  3. unpopular-dave Avatar

    you took it easy on him. Call the police dude. He needs to learn a lesson.

    He better finance your trip as well

    Press charges after he finances tho

  4. Historical-Talk9452 Avatar

    Curse him with the force of a dying man. Start a fundraiser to achieve your bucket list. I wish you satisfaction

  5. chiefff Avatar

    I can’t tell if this is made up rage porn, but you have legit moral high ground to beat the living shit out of your brother.

    Press charges on him like a criminal who stole your money.