I'm currently based in the uk - moved here about 10 years ago from Nigeria. Through facebook, I recently reconnected with some friends I'd known from way back.

A couple years ago, 3 of my friends requested for short term cash loans for various reasons. I lent them money emphasising the fact that they are loans not gifts and we agreed on repayment dates. These loans are now more than a year overdue and I'm having no luck getting the money back. Can u please advice what else I can do other than sending emails ?

Friend1 . Needed some cash in his account for 3 months so he can apply for his uk highly skilled visa after his master prog. Current whereabouts unknown. Does not respond to his messages anymore.
Friend2. Need some cash to pay his uk university fee balance as his stock market investments had collapsed. His uni was threatening with suspension. Occasionally responds to email but not paying up.
Friend3. Was in a bad state when I saw again Lagos. Wanted some capital to expand his retail business. Called one day to say sales girl had ran away with all his money. Hasnt picked up my call since then. Occasionally sends apologetic text messages.

I have known each one of these guys for a long time. What can I do?

hi friend, i happen to be in ur shoes. loan 1.6m naira to a guy since dec 09, since then its been stories upon stories. just last mmonth i was discussing with a lawyer & he told me that with a proof, i can sue him for obtaining under false pretence (419) & its a good caase for efcc to handle. in ur case living in d uk might make things a little difficult. u can also claim damages which will take care of legal fees. this is my
best advice. pls learn from this. any money u cant let go, dont loan it out. but u still have to give help to people financially though.

Money is such a sensitive subject it makes or breaks friendships.If family or close friends borrow money from me the first thing that comes to mind is that there is a possibility that I might never see the money again if I lend it I've done it at my own risk.
If they start throwing specific amounts that will definitely leave my bank account hurting in case they never pay back " I don't have that kind of money comes to mind" 

Jbatty:

I lent them money emphasising the fact that they are loans not gifts and we agreed on repayment dates. These loans are now more than a year overdue and I'm having no luck getting the money back.
I have known each one of these guys for a long time. What can I do?

They could all be genuinely cash strapped or have you as an option meaning other "important" financial issues keep coming up and they deal with it first only to remember they owe you money much later. The other reason could be they don't intend to pay you back and see this as a "gift"
Goodluck on this one