Dear Webmasters/CEOs,
In the previous weekend,our staff informed me about the western union, first 2 May weeks orders(1-10/05),with theirs MTCN,names,full details,etc,which we must go and withdraw from the agent.
When I checked these details(I'm going every 2 weeks to receive the Wu payments),I understand that few payments,was from some people in Nigeria.
Searching in our database,I lookup that they have create about the same tickets,answering for our Western union payments details,as they cannot use paypal,as they state.
Our staff asnwered them about our payment details and then they make the payments.
The strange is that the payment is from UK and not Nigeria which they are sign up.
Due to certain problems with Nigeria clients/customers(even at ebay,scams,frauds,etc),is there any risk,accepting customers and payments from Nigeria,via Western Union?
Thank you in advanced,
Alex

there is a risk in all transactions. If you are going to be global you will need to learn to identify fraud.

Yes,but due to the payment is Western Union,you get the money in hand.
I ask,if there is any fraud,that may occur,after months,with these money,etc
Regards

If you are worried about western union, why don't you just accept credit card only..

The strange is that the payment is from UK and not Nigeria which they are sign up.

That's a huge red flag right there...

If you are worried about western union, why don't you just accept credit card only..

Credit card is much higher risk for these countries

That's a huge red flag right there...

Yes that quite the problem.
But,as I said,once you get they money in Hand,could you have any trouble?

Western Union is as good as cash. actually it is cash. With credit cards you may get chargeback that includes a penalty fee. At least you have your money. I would suggest you to check out what is the website about. We have many clients from all around the world and we find users from USA to be more risky in terms of fraud.

I wouldn't accept WU. There's no reason why the client can't pay with a credit card or echeck. There's just way too many red flags on this one for me.

--Tina

Problem wouldnt be the type of site or so.
I didnt see any problem on these,neither any of our staff have report something illegal/fraud/phising.
My questions is,if this money coming from illegal activies,and if we require to return these.
Or by the time you get the cash,you say just good bye?
Thank you

Western Union is as good as cash. actually it is cash. With credit cards you may get chargeback that includes a penalty fee. At least you have your money. I would suggest you to check out what is the website about. We have many clients from all around the world and we find users from USA to be more risky in terms of fraud.

Credit cards you cannot charge back if you take the proper measures, using western union you have 0 ability to verify the person sending the money is who they say they are. While there is no risk of charge back, your company has no protection in regards of identification verification.

Don't know how it is now but CC from Nigeria did not exist one year ago when they were on they international money laundry watch (they are not removed - and can do international banking).

My Nigeria customers paid me with a CC issued by a bank of ivory coast. western union is of course the safest of all payments.

Dear Alex,

I would not trust in anything done from Nigeria. I have been reasently involved (unknown and unconciously before) in those kind of things...someone ask me to collect via a online receipt money from a bank and to change it in a different currency and to transfer it into someone else account....now i know its money laundery...you got to be careful in this....i would not do anything with money if for someone you don't know well and in person! Just chck out this website:

http://www.data-wales.co.uk/nigerian_chat.htm

In my case i reported everything to the police...if you are unsure about your situation, I suggest you contact your local police department!
I hope I could help you with this!
Kind Regards

hmm....without too many people jumping on me...

Not everyone in Nigeria is a scammer or a fraudster.

There are many good companies and people found in Nigeria that are well worth doing business with.

I wouldn't touch Western Union payments for all the tea in China because it's a hassle having to go here and there, waiting in a queue or filling in forms etc for a few bucks. All my payments are either via credit card, cash, paypal (only if I know them or have had a decent amount of interaction with them over the year(s)) and google checkout.

owm

If you don't mind the haslle of accepting WU then there is no reason to worry. You provide a service and you get paid, there is not even a chance of a chargeback etc.
Worst thing that can happen is they spam/phish... You take down the site - and keep the money.

Really your call.

You already have the money. If you're worried, just keep an eye on their account. There could be a legitimate reason why the payment came from the UK. Maybe the customer doesn't have a real WU near them in Nigeria, and had to go through a third party with a UK office.

Western Union is 100% safe you get the cash and no charge back. But I would monitor the account closely for any illegal activities. If possible try to ask your client why the discrepancies in the countries in a nice and diplomatic way.

Receiving payment is safe, but they running things inside the server that can create havoc is a big issue.

Thank you all for your answers.
Really appreciated.
Have a nice day!

We accept WU at our company and we are happily hosting clients from Nigeria. There is no way you have to return the money even in the case of a fraud. Of course try to get as much information about the website before hosting it.