My best friend from Akure collected our startup money and vanished

Two years ago, I left a good job in Lagos to start a fintech company with my childhood best friend, Tunde. We grew up together in Akure, same street, same church. I trusted that boy with my life.

We raised about ₦12 million from family and friends. My own mother gave us ₦1.5 million from her savings. Tunde said he knew someone who could help us get a licence faster, so he handled the paperwork and the money.

After three months, things started looking off. He was always busy, not picking my calls. Then one day, I went to our office in Yaba and found it empty. Furniture gone, computers gone. Tunde's phone was switched off.

I later heard he moved to Dubai. The man didn't even tell me goodbye. My mother still asks about her money and I just tell her it's coming. I lost a friend, my savings, and my mother's trust in one swoop.

Now I only work with contracts and written agreements. Even with family. Especially with family. If you're planning to do business with a friend, make sure everything is on paper. Love is sweet but money is sweeter when it's protected.