How to send money to the Gambia safely?

hardpressed

Just heard from a British friend who's fallen on hard times in Gambia. A bit of a complicated story but I'd like to send him a couple of hundred to help him out. I'm not quite sure what he's been up to but wants me to send the money to a Gambian friend who he trusts. OK so perhaps I'm being a mug in believing his story but feel sorry for him. He says I can send it by Western Union to this friend, is this the best way to do it? I look on WU site and it seems I can send it on line but I'm a bit worried about them having my card details, am I being paranoid? I don't want my card to be cloned.

maninthestreet

Scam!!!!!!

hardpressed

I do believe he is in need of some help, I just want to know the best way to send money. I've spoken to him on the phone so I know it's him.

d123

If you are happy with his story then use Western Union, they are a large international company who are extremely unlikely to do anything with your card.

http://ir.westernunion.com/investor/financials.cfm

In 2007, Western Union delivered the financial expectations we set, with overall revenues growing 12% to $4.9 billion, operating income of $1.3 billion and operating cash flow of $1.1 billion. Furthermore, 2007 was a year of operating highlights. We increased our global footprint to more than 355,00 agent locations in over 200 countries and territories.

maninthestreet

hardpressed wrote: »

I do believe he is in need of some help, I just want to know the best way to send money. I've spoken to him on the phone so I know it's him.

Who is this 'British friend'? - how long have you known him, how did you make his acqaintance? How many times have you met, face to face? When was the last time you met this person, face to face? Why is this person asking you to send him money, instead of his close family relatives? Why is this person asking you to send the money to his 'trusted' Gambian 'friend', and not directly to him? How did you get to hear about his current predicament - phone, letter, email or.....?

Torby

touch.....bargepole....all spring to mind.....if he is a British friend I would contact HIM direct and/or the British Consulate....if he is in trouble....I certainly wouldnt send money to a "Gambian" friend.

dzug1

You can send a Moneygram from a Post Office and pay cash if you want to ignore all the advice and do it.

I'm assuming they do Gambia - they do most countries

Or if you find a Western Union agent you could probably do it in cash there

maninthestreet

Any update on this Hardpressed - did you send the money or not?

Paparika

if you met over the internet chances are its a scam, does he or his family members all of a sudden need hospital treatment?

laptop broken etc etc


Wouldn't touch western union with a barge pole, read this weeks take a break or thats life to read why

Gers

I got an email from someone I knew, from her own email address, with a sob story about needing money in the Gambia. Seems her email/PC has been hacked or got a virus in it. Be VERY careful about this as it's almost always not what it seems, unless it seems a scam.

I also get emails from people abroad wanting to book on the training courses I programme but asking if I will give them a reference for their visa and saying that I need to 'invite' them to attend. Another scam which is liable to leave me and my organisation open to the strict imigration laws/financial security rules.

neiljc_2

completely unrelated but it reminds me of being at banjul airport and realising that unlike most other airports we had a perfect side on view of airplanes taking off.Usually you see the back of the plane.

we were waiting for our flight and saw a zambia airlines flight taxi down the runway and take off almost straight up in to the air!!