23/06/2026
Your friend texted you desperately and asking for an urgent RM10,000 loan to handle a major crisis. But when you try to look at his social media profile, you realize he has no update for 5 years. Suspicious, a mutual friend found out he has a second hidden account where he actively posts his real ‘atas’ life—expensive fine dining, overseas trip, and luxury shopping sprees.
Miles’s Reality: You want to be a good friend, but finding out he intentionally hides his luxury spending feels like a massive slap in the face. It’s clear he’s using you. On top of that, other friends are privately warning you that this is his pattern—he treats everyone like a personal, interest-free ATM, and if you give him this cash, you will never see a single cent of it again.
The Friend’s Perspective: He probably thinks what you don’t know won’t hurt you, hidding everyone on his lifestyle account so he can protect his pride while still getting your financial help. Whether he’s actually in a bind or just running out of cash to fund his expensive habits, he expects your loyalty as a friend to mean giving him the money without digging into how he lives his life.
If you were Miles, what is the most constructive step to take?
1) Say NO firmly without bringing up the hidden account, telling him you don’t have that kind of money to spare, and let the friendship naturally fade out.
2) Send him a screenshot of his hidden ‘atas’ account, confront him about the “emergency.”
3) Have a deep talk about his recent real life before you even think about helping him out.
4) Another solution?
Where do you draw the line between helping a friend in a rough patch and being used as a personal bank account? Share your advice for Miles.
