Helped A Friend Now He Says I Owe Him $5k

Location: Brooklyn NYC

Here’s what happened, and honestly, I’m exhausted even thinking about it:

I met Joe years ago — an older retired Puerto Rican guy who was just trying to get by, selling a little weed on the side, juggling prescription meds, whatever. A friend asked me to help him because his car wouldn’t start. I showed up, did him a favor, we talked, and somehow we became friends.

For years he’d call me every month with “discounts,” and I’d grab some party favors here and there. As time went on, I told him straight up — I’m not into that anymore, I’m getting older, I’m done with that scene. But because I’m loyal, I still helped him out sometimes for other people.

Then his life fell apart. He got kicked out of his apartment and came to me, asking if he could use my address for mail. He promised 30 days max. I said okay because I’m not the type to leave someone homeless with no direction.

But 30 days turned into five months of him using my home like a mailbox.

Then he asked me to lie to the City and say he lived with me so he could get a free government apartment. I told him no, I didn’t want to be involved. And deep down I knew he probably did it anyway behind my back.

After that he leaves for Puerto Rico and dumps his car on me too — keys included — “Just watch it for me, bro.”

Suddenly I’m the one:

• Picking up his CVS meds • Holding his mail • Babysitting his car • Carrying stress that isn’t even mine

All while he’s on an island living his life.

This dragged on for another 5 months. Then he calls me out of nowhere telling me to put everything in the car, leave it unlocked, keys inside, because “a friend is coming to get it.”

I did exactly what he told me to do. I followed every instruction.

A day later? He calls screaming that things are missing, his car was ransacked, and now I supposedly owe him $5,000.

After everything I did for him — the favors, the time, the patience — he turns around and threatens me like I’m the one who did something wrong.

Now I’m sitting here asking myself:

• Do I go to the police and explain how trying to help someone dragged me into this mess? • Do I call NYC Housing and report the fraud he tried to use my address for? • How do I protect myself from someone who clearly has no loyalty, no gratitude, and no respect?

I helped a man because I thought he needed me. Now I’m stuck dealing with threats, accusations, and chaos that never belonged to me in the first place.

What do I do now?