Please help me raise legal defense funds for my elderly and disabled (79 y/o) father.

Update on where we’re at with my dad and the fundraiser! As of September 5 GMT +8!

We’re still slowly but surely trucking along. The prolonged silence and lack of updates is because we’re now working closely with our legal representatives to craft a strong case of defense for my dad. Please do bear with us!

UPDATE ON TOTAL FUNDS RAISED as of August 22 GMT +8!

We’re thankfully at an ESTIMATED 52% of the total goal. And much closer to the following milestone for 60-70% of total funds raised. We’re incredibly grateful to have even made it this far, and I can only hope we will achieve our goals without a hitch.

We’re current in the process of pre-trial proceedings, and will continue with our current legal rep (but should anything happen, we will consider other options ONLY after we’ve exhausted what we’re currently have in order to avoid any complications with our representation). Of course there are additional costs of medical assessments and additional legal agents whose costs will be borne onto us, but we are being extremely careful with the funds raised.

Again, I’m floored by the outpouring of support, kind messages and offers from a lot of you to help my dad with his basic necessities too. Every donation, boost, share, and comment has also lended itself into how we’ve gotten this far.

UPDATE August 11, 1:06am GMT +8: UPDATES on lawyer fees and the initial deposit!

Thanks to everyone’s contribution, we’ve been able to make the first deposit for 5K SGD to our current legal representation for my dad’s pre-trial on August 6th — sorry for the delayed update as we wanted to get the receipt/confirmation of payment first!

Our legal reps have been plenty helpful as is, and we’re still in the process of having fee caps put in place to fit the current funds already raised. But do keep in mind, that we’re still at really early stages. Of course, this isn’t counting additional funds as handled by us (the client) for thing like further medical assessment or other advisors and agents that might be needed to strengthen the defense for my father. All funds raised will only be meant for this situation, and will not be used for any other means.

I’ll be sure to update everyone immediately should the amount already be fitting even 60-70% of the goal, and place the necessary holds unless we need to push it any further.

Once again, I’m really floored by the outpouring of support and additional advice and help given to us by so many of you. Every boost, share, and kind message means just as much as a donation.

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UPDATE August 3, 10:52am GMT +8: UPDATE ON ESTIMATED FUNDS! With the funds GFM has automatically withdrawn for us, we’re slowly on the way towards the end goal, and I’m hoping to keep pushing it until we’re at least 60-70% of the way there! But I wanted to be able to give regular updates on the funds raised as we continue to push through the goal.
Of course please keep in mind that this is just a general estimation of the funds, and will vary due to all the deductions listed.

Once again, thank you for all the help this far. I sincerely hope we’ll manage to keep pushing this and pay the necessary legal funds until my dad is home and safe.

UPDATE JULY 31st, 2:56pm GMT +8: UPDATE ON GO FUND ME GREEN LIGHT, GOFUNDME IS BACK AND OPEN!: I am BEYOND relieved and happy to announce that the GFM has passed its review and with the green light from the GFM team, we can continue with fundraising for my father's defense fees!

I will update with more details ASAP on the withdrawal amounts and fees incurred by from using the GFM service + international transfer fees soon!

I'm so happy to finally say: HERE'S THE LINK!

UPDATE JULY 29 11:08pm GMT +8: CONSOLIDATING ALL UPDATES ACROSS ALL PLATFORMS + FINALIZATION OF LEGAL REPRESENTATION

1) Once again, GFM has placed my campaign under review and they’re still taking it through the necessary processes. I’d like to assure everyone that it’s just par the course for a lot of GFM’s and that the money still remains within GFM’s secure system as I HAVE NOT MADE ANY WITHDRAWALS. If you’d like to get a refund and reissue it to me directly, please contact me and I can walk you through the steps! If it needs to be closed, I will ensure everyone is refunded and I will keep pushing to raise funds with other platforms!

2) Donations are still open via bank transfer and PayPal!! Do let me know if you’re donating so I can thank you personally! Without counting the GFM funds. We have raised MYR $58,954.45 which is an estimated SGD $18,847.23! 18% of the current goal, but we’re still discussing with legal reps as we move through the process.

3) I’ve made a CARRD for easier access to every update made, banking and funding information, and lawyer fees/invoices!

4) We’re speaking to a few more lawyers before we make a decision as my father’s pre trial begins on August 6th. From here, the necessary representations will be made to allow us to present facts and key points to set my father free. After that point we will see if we need to proceed to trial. Each trial day has a specific costs and rates attached, but it’s all to ensure my father’s fight for a fair trial.

Thank you so much for keeping up with us, for the continued support, and for any kind wishes.

UPDATE JULY 24 2:07am GMT +8: NOTIFYING DONORS AND REROUTING GOFUNDME DONATIONS + CREATION OF CARRD Donors are slowly being contacted to either opt for a refund and to redonate the or to wait on the GoFundMe process.

BUT PLEASE KNOW that if you have been a donor, DO CONTACT ME: abigail.gohtiani@gmail.com

Whatsapp/Telegram: +6 0163422525
LINE: heyabster
Instagram: @abstrgoh
Twitter: @notabstrgoh

+ Made this CARRD to centralize information too

UPDATE JULY 22 10:42pm GMT +8: GOFUNDME ON REVIEW, DONATIONS ON HOLD, PLEASE TRANSFER VIA PAYPAL + BANK MEANS! Just wanted to keep this up here until the situation is resolved. The GFM is under review and I’m told it’s just a normal process. But until it’s approved I’ve halted donations for the meanwhile. If you’d still like to donate, here are other means! But even shares and boosts mean the world too.

PayPal
paypal.me/abstrpay

BANK ACCOUNT FOR MALAYSIANS:
ABIGAIL GOH TIAN I
CIMB BANK BERHAD
A/C: 7062050145

For PayPal and Bank Transfers. I will be periodically update the moving totals! And once I am able to take out my bank statements (gotta wait until the month is done) I will release it publicly as well!

I want to be transparent as I understand that it’s a lot of money.

UPDATE JUL. 22, 1:21pm GMT +8: I’ve temporarily closed donations because the GFM is unfortunately under review. We still don’t know exactly why but I’m fully complying with the Trust and Service Team to provide them as much details possible!

But I want to ENSURE that 1) I HAVE NOT withdrawn any amount, 2) I DO NOT HOLD the funds (unless it’s in PayPal or in my own bank account + I’ll upload bank statements once we get them).

Fingers crossed the review goes smoothly.

FIRST UPDATE OF STATEMENT ON GO FUND ME
[UPDATE 07/18/2021,12.37am GMT +8]: We have been advised that we redact certain information that is sensitive to the case. Here is the updated statement.

In short: My elderly and disabled father has been charged for a corporate crime for which he is not guilty of. Currently, he is fending against the charges alone.

As his child, I want to ensure that he has full legal representation to prove his innocence through a fair trial.

In order to fund a strong defense, we need to raise S$100,000.00 in legal fees. Below are the details of the matter in full.

I wish I could say more at this stage, but unfortunately, as this is an ongoing Court case, I have been advised that if I publicly dive into the details of the injustices my father has faced and is facing, I may prejudice my father’s case and in addition, be held to be in contempt of Court.

As the case proceeds further, I may be able to relay more information and details. Please understand that this is the first time my family has encountered such legal issues and we want to ensure that we do our best to not jeopardize the case.

My father has been charged with a corporate crime that he is not guilty of. His naïve and trusting nature was taken advantage of, leading to identity theft which dragged him into fraudulent claims against his innocence. He faces up to 10 years in jail and S$500,000 in fines for the charge.

Despite being fully cooperative for the past three years we have been kept in the dark — when in actual fact we could have obtained legal advice sooner to prevent things from reaching such an unfortunate state. During these three years, he has had no secure place of residence, minimal living expenses for basic necessities, and continues to be far away from the love of his family. And as his child, it pains me greatly to see my father in such a miserable state.

My father has suffered large bouts of neglect throughout this process. He has had a stroke in the earlier years of his life, alongside diabetes, glaucoma which led to limited sight in his eyes, and has recently suffered a brain infection (meningitis) which has left him cognitively impaired which he is receiving treatment for. The medical professionals are still testing him for early signs of dementia as well.

Throughout this hard time, my father has gone through physical and mental deterioration. He has been advised that he is not physically or mentally fit to withstand prison. He will die. This not only worries us, but exacerbates the need to ensure that he has proper legal representation and a fair trial.

I am the sole breadwinner of the family. We have been stretched extremely thin with the bills. I am ashamed to say that we have had moments where my dad, in order to not put further burden on us, has gone days without a meal, skipped medical treatment, and would try to hold on to a brave face despite all the hardships he is currently going through. It breaks my heart knowing how much he has had to endure so far.

We want him to have a fair chance to fight for his freedom in court, and for that to happen we need a strong backing of lawyers that can help us see that through. We have currently estimated the basic costs for legal upkeep to be at S$100,000 and might rise even higher. Although we are looking at other options like legal aid and pro bono lawyers, this is the only immediate option we have now as the pre-trial date is fast approaching. But with the current support that the lawyers can offer, we can save my father. I am only asking for help now because I am desperate to support my dad in these painful times, to fight his fight, to bring him home, and to spend whatever time I have left with him.

Please, on behalf of my family, I am begging for the chance to save his life.

If you have gotten this far, thank you for taking the time to read this

OTHER DONATION METHODS:
BANK ACCOUNT FOR MALAYSIANS:
ABIGAIL GOH TIAN I
CIMB
A/C: 7062050145

PAYPAL:
https://www.paypal.me/abstrpay

Should you need further details or to talk to us further please contact us here:

abigail.gohtiani@gmail.com

UPDATE AUGUST 11 1:06AM GMT+ 8: We've just paid the deposit for representation.

UPDATE JULY 24 2:17am GMT +8: No lawyer fees yet. I will update this page as soon as I receive more information.

abigail.gohtiani@gmail.com