A shocking story recently shared online has stirred up strong emotions after a young woman revealed how her own mother secretly took her $160,000 inheritance and then tried to manipulate her when confronted about it. The post, originally shared on Reddit by a user under the name u/pleaseinsertdisc2, details a situation that many readers have described as financial abuse and emotional manipulation.

According to the 24-year-old author, the inheritance came from a life insurance policy left to her by her late father, money that was legally and rightfully hers. But she only discovered the truth by accident. While living with her mother, she stumbled upon a letter from the insurance company stating that she had been entitled to $160,000. Shocked, she realized she had never seen a dime of it. After further investigation, she learned that her mother had already accessed the funds in her name years earlier without informing her.

When confronted, her mother admitted she had used the money as a down payment for a house, brushing off her daughter’s outrage and insisting she “needed it more.” This confession came on top of the fact that her mother had previously received $500,000 in inheritance after the father’s passing, making the daughter’s claim that much more valid. Instead of apologizing or offering to make things right, the mother doubled down, launching into a barrage of gaslighting and insults to shift the blame. She accused her daughter of being entitled and desperate for money, even going as far as suggesting she would have wasted the funds on gambling, drugs, or other reckless behavior—completely unfounded allegations meant to undermine her.

The conversation spiraled into a four-hour argument filled with emotional manipulation tactics, leaving the daughter feeling humiliated, angry, and deeply betrayed. The original poster explained that she had worked multiple minimum-wage jobs since the age of 18, juggling school and bills on her own, never once asking her mother for money. She shared how painful it was to learn that while she struggled to make ends meet, the funds her father intended to help her build a better future were being used by someone else without her knowledge or consent. Commenters on Reddit were quick to voice their outrage, labeling the mother’s actions as theft and abuse, advising the young woman to seek legal counsel immediately.

Many urged her to go no contact with her mother, warning that the emotional damage from years of manipulation could be just as harmful as the financial betrayal. In an update, the author mentioned she was considering speaking with attorneys to see if there was any legal path to reclaiming her inheritance. She also admitted that this incident made her realize a long-standing pattern of her mother demeaning and devaluing everything she did, often using guilt trips and psychological tactics to control her. Experts have weighed in on this heartbreaking story, noting that it shows clear signs of financial abuse and emotional gaslighting. Psychologist Irina Matveeva commented that beyond the fraudulent act itself, there is evident emotional aggression in the mother’s behavior.

She explained that when people are exposed for unethical actions, some attempt to “switch from defense to offense,” painting themselves as the victim or even as having acted nobly. In this case, accusing her daughter of irresponsibility was likely an attempt to justify the theft in her own mind. However, Matveeva emphasized that this doesn’t make the behavior any less harmful or disgusting, advising that the young woman not only consult a good lawyer but also seek therapy to heal from years of emotional mistreatment. Thousands of online readers expressed deep sympathy, with many offering heartfelt words of support. “Your dad wanted you to have that money to make your life easier,” one commenter wrote.

“You deserve better than what your mom did to you.” Others shared their own experiences of parental financial abuse, highlighting how devastating it can be to realize that someone you trusted completely could exploit you in such a personal way. As the story continues to gain attention, the overwhelming advice is for the young woman to cut ties with her mother, pursue legal action if possible, and focus on building a future free from manipulation. While the emotional wounds may take time to heal, readers hope she finds the justice and peace that her late father would have wanted for her.