Social Issues,Entitled PeopleJUN 10, 2025

Man Finds Out His Old Friend Betrayed The Villager Who Helped Raise Them, Brings Him To Justice

Justinas Keturka and Rokas Laurinavičius

According to a popular saying, the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing.

So, when Reddit user PixelHunter-Diana416 heard that a local widower had been robbed, he couldn't let it slide. You see, the old man wasn't just a friendly neighbor—he had helped raise everyone in the area and was the kindest person the guy knew.

But once he learned the identity of the thief, it became clear that the incident wasn't some random crime.

A kind old man opened up his home to someone in need, only to be betrayed for a couple of dollars

Image credits: Axwell Wallet (not the actual photo)

But in the end, the locals reminded him that he hadn't been forgotten

Image credits:Kindel Media (not the actual photo)

Image credits: PixelHunter-Diana416

It can be very hard to determine exactly why David decided to steal from Robert

Clinical psychologist Dr. Stanton Samenow, who is an expert in criminal behavior, said, "Poverty has been considered a 'root cause' of stealing. However, most poor people don't steal, and many who are well-off do. A woman who declared she was forced to steal to buy formula and diapers for her baby might convince others to feel sorry for her. However, in ... the United States, no one is forced to steal to obtain such necessities that are readily available through a variety of programs and agencies."

Peer pressure, according to Samenow, is another frequently cited factor, but then the question is, why did that person choose those particular peers? "Kids and adults gravitate to others who share their interests. The boy who claims, 'All my friends are doing it' is disclosing a lot about his choice of friends and therefore revealing something about himself," Samenow, author of the bestseller Inside the Criminal Mind, said.

All of this isn't to dismiss the challenges people face, especially the underprivileged ones, but rather to highlight that theft is often a choice influenced by deeper personal factors rather than solely external circumstances.

Image credits:AnnaStills (not the actual photo)

Financial elder abuse can have devastating psychological impacts

The perpetrators of financial elder abuse typically engage in one or more of the following behaviors to accomplish their goals:

Stealing from the victim;
Theft by threat, coercion, or intimidation;
Scams and fraud, including forgery, caregiver fraud, securities fraud, real estate fraud, and insurance fraud, among others;
Exploitation of the victim's estate and estate planning documents, including undue influence, power of attorney fraud, and breaches of fiduciary duty;
Professional malfeasance, such as that committed by doctors, insurance agents, financial advisors, realtors, and the clergy.

The effects of these despicable actions typically go far beyond the victim's pockets. Most victims of financial elder abuse also suffer one or more mental health effects, such as severe stress, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, and depression.

The sad reality is that, as was the case this time, it is most frequently committed by individuals whom the victim trusts—such as friends, caregivers, and housekeepers—as these people are more likely to have access to the victim's possessions and sensitive financial information.