Man seeks $400,000 refund after romance fails

-- PHOTO: FACEBOOK

A High Court suit is set to be a test case for whether gifts in cash and kind are returnable after a romantic relationship hits the rocks.

The suit in question involves gifts ranging from sparkly baubles and tech toys to condominium deposit payments and even investments in the production of music videos.

Widower Chan Kok Sang, an accountant in his 60s, reckons he must have spent about $400,000 on divorcee Caroline Tong during their courtship, in the belief that she would marry him.

BACKGROUND STORY

Amount he spent on her

TOTAL: $397,182.42

WIDOWER Chan Kok Sang, an accountant in his 60s, courted real estate agent Caroline Tong (left) in style. Now the couple have split up, he is suing her for a sum reflecting the value of the gifts and other expenditures. The following were the items he bought her, and their cost:

Property purchase deposits: $74,095.56
Cost of producing her VCDs: $79,200
Dental charges: $3,000
Money transfers: $11,638.35
Loan for purchase of Mercedes: $21,324.67
Beds and cupboards: $8,367.40
Watches: $34,003.70
Spa treatments: $4,911.80
Notebook, iPad and similar items: $6,686
Louis Vuitton, Burberry and Gucci goods: $21,430.25
Jewellery: $90,688
Miscellaneous items, including clothes from boutiques and facials: $41,836.69
BACKGROUND STORY

COUNTER-CLAIM

Ms Tong is making a counter-claim for half the proceeds from the sale of a $1.24 million condominium unit in Keppel Bay, a property registered in both their names.

Now that she is not going to do so, he considers what he gave her to be 'friendly loans' which are to be repaid. Ms Tong, a real estate agent in her 40s, denies the claims. Her argument is that the items were unconditional presents given during their relationship.

Source: The Straits Times