Randomly found a huge amount of money on teen son's banking account; how would you approach the situation?
Randomly found a huge amount of money on teen son's banking account; how would you approach the situation?
Son is 18. That's about $43.5k USD. For reference, I earn ~9000 lei per month, and that's considered a very good salary here. There are still people working for ~2500 lei a month. Son forgot to close this Revolut tab on the living room PC, that's how I came across it.
Start by apologizing for looking into his bank account? Then the best approach might just be going along with it at first.
If it's crypto, that could easily be a gambling addiction. If they're dealing drugs, they might be in danger if you force them to just stop.
I thought gambling addicts were broke?
Eventually
Sometimes you get lucky, that's gambling. That's also why it's addictive.
They wind up broke, sure, because the house always wins in the end. But that doesn't mean they're broke all the time. Winning is what makes it addicting in the first place. You're up $100. Then you're up $1000. Then you're down $2000. That's how it works
This is serious, you need to make sure you know the origins of the money even if it is legit.
Here in Sweden your earnings are reported directly to the tax office, banks are also required to verify the origin of large payments.
How does taxes work in Romania?
Here they are being pulled straight from your salary before you get it, but selling financial instruments works differently, I sold some shares from an inheritance to by a car last year, I had to report the income when doing my taxes, I also had to use a standard earnings calculation as I didn't know the value of the shares when I got them.
There is a decent possibility he is a money mule, he may be unaware that what he is doing is illegal. There is some precedent specifically for criminals in China using people overseas as money mules.
Non accusatory, mostly. I would just straight up ask, how he got the money (and make sure that he doesn't commit tax evasion by accident). He would have the option to not tell me of course.
Probably either from crypto or dealing drugs
Straw man for money laundering maybe? The "receive, keep x percent, send the rest on" kinda scheme.
I guess that's possible, I was just saying the two most likely things that came to mind. I wouldn't necessarily expect money launderers to rely on a teenager, but I also don't have any personal experience in this area.
Onlyfans?
Did looking at the transactions gave you an idea about the source?
Might be a scam, where they send you large amounts of money, you pass it on to some other account. Then the original transaction is revoked and you're left holding the bag.
Ask him.
does he make YouTube videos?
This sounds serious. Can't help but think about the possibility of human traffic.
Son is 18.
Ask for more rent.
I would start by telling him he needs to pay rent.
He is an adult, mind your own business until he approaches you for advice.
Don't ever have kids. If you already have, I'm sorry for them.