Western Union Scammers, need help!

hawky121 said:

A friend of mine fell for a honeytrap online.

Now we want to get it back and the scammer is ready to pay via Western union. Which I don't trust that he will pay.

It's a little big amount Almost $1800.

But our concern is , would it be safe for my friend to give the scammer home address to receive funds in total amount which is a little big amount now????

He is not ready to send via other payment methods.

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Jyeshtha said:

First of all, I doubt he will get his money by any means/mode.
Secondly, as per my knowledge, you don't have to give your address to the sender to receive money through western union, but yes you need to present a government-issued ID only at the cash pickup center.

I don't know if the rules differ from country to country, but this is the normal process.

But still, how did he send such a huge amount to someone whom he doesn't know in person.

BTW, in what mode he paid the scammer, and how did you manage to make him agree to payback.

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welshman said:

Do you need to provide correct address? I've only ever been asked to show proof of ID, such as drivers license or passport. What country is this?

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hawky121 said:

The receiving country is China.

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• Inform the agent your sender’s name, the amount sent, the country/territory from where the money was sent, and the Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN).
• Fill out your “Receive Form”.
• Collect your money and the receipt.

1. If you’re the receiver, you may need to complete a one-time registration before you can get the money.
2. If you need to register, you will be contacted within 24 hours by us at the number provided by your sender.
3. To register and confirm your identity, you will need:
   • The tracking number (MTCN)
   • Confirm your bank card number
   • Confirm your Chinese name as it appears on your government-issued ID
   • Your government-issued ID
4. If the receiver cannot be contacted within 3 days, we will not be able to finish your transfer, and the sender will be issued a refund. If the receiver cannot be contacted within 3 days, we will not be able to complete the transfer, and the sender will be issued a refund.
5. You can also call Customer Care at 4008190488 or 02168664622 to provide your identity information.

welshman said:

well according to Western Union: https://www.westernunion.com/content/wucom/Countries/en_CN/receive-money.html

How to receive money at an agent location

• Inform the agent your sender’s name, the amount sent, the country/territory from where the money was sent, and the Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN).
• Fill out your “Receive Form”.
• Collect your money and the receipt.

and according to this url: https://www.westernunion.com/gb/en/frequently-asked-questions/faq-receive-money.html

Receiving money in China:

1. If you’re the receiver, you may need to complete a one-time registration before you can get the money.
2. If you need to register, you will be contacted within 24 hours by us at the number provided by your sender.
3. To register and confirm your identity, you will need:
   • The tracking number (MTCN)
   • Confirm your bank card number
   • Confirm your Chinese name as it appears on your government-issued ID
   • Your government-issued ID
4. If the receiver cannot be contacted within 3 days, we will not be able to finish your transfer, and the sender will be issued a refund. If the receiver cannot be contacted within 3 days, we will not be able to complete the transfer, and the sender will be issued a refund.
5. You can also call Customer Care at 4008190488 or 02168664622 to provide your identity information.

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hawky121 said:

Thanks but the receiver is going to receive is via bank. Receiver will directly get it transferred via bank so the receiver doesn't have to go to WU agent office to collect the cash in China.

So my question is can the receiver use a totally fake address but real name to receive it directly in the bank through Western union in China?

Click to expand...

welshman said:

Do you need to provide correct address? I've only ever been asked to show proof of ID, such as drivers license or passport. What country is this?

Click to expand...

Jyeshtha said:

First of all, I doubt he will get his money by any means/mode.
Secondly, as per my knowledge, you don't have to give your address to the sender to receive money through western union, but yes you need to present a government-issued ID only at the cash pickup center.

I don't know if the rules differ from country to country, but this is the normal process.

But still, how did he send such a huge amount to someone whom he doesn't know in person.

BTW, in what mode he paid the scammer, and how did you manage to make him agree to payback.

Click to expand...

hawky121 said:

Hmm I cannot disclose the details...or country...
The amount was sent in smaller amounts with days of delays through different payment methods.

I doubt the scammer will send back the money. I don't know anything about WU so I asked here.


The receiving country is China.

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welshman said:

well according to Western Union: https://www.westernunion.com/content/wucom/Countries/en_CN/receive-money.html

How to receive money at an agent location

• Inform the agent your sender’s name, the amount sent, the country/territory from where the money was sent, and the Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN).
• Fill out your “Receive Form”.
• Collect your money and the receipt.

and according to this url: https://www.westernunion.com/gb/en/frequently-asked-questions/faq-receive-money.html

Receiving money in China:

1. If you’re the receiver, you may need to complete a one-time registration before you can get the money.
2. If you need to register, you will be contacted within 24 hours by us at the number provided by your sender.
3. To register and confirm your identity, you will need:
   • The tracking number (MTCN)
   • Confirm your bank card number
   • Confirm your Chinese name as it appears on your government-issued ID
   • Your government-issued ID
4. If the receiver cannot be contacted within 3 days, we will not be able to finish your transfer, and the sender will be issued a refund. If the receiver cannot be contacted within 3 days, we will not be able to complete the transfer, and the sender will be issued a refund.
5. You can also call Customer Care at 4008190488 or 02168664622 to provide your identity information.

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hawky121 said:

Thanks but the receiver is going to receive is via bank. Receiver will directly get it transferred via bank so the receiver doesn't have to go to WU agent office to collect the cash in China.

So my question is can the receiver use a totally fake address but real name to receive it directly in the bank through Western union in China?

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mturbo said:

To me it looks that apart from stealing $1800, scammer also wants to steal your friend's personal data thus makes false promises of sending back money

Why would he return the $1800? Do you know his personal details/location?

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welshman said:

Dunno, this is all I could find: https://www.westernunion.com/CN/en/wu-in-china.html

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rajiced said:

Its mostly a bait to blackmail more with your identity do not give any personal info
ask to pay thru anyother way

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nice2haveu said:

I think don't give more information

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mturbo said:

To me it looks that apart from stealing $1800, scammer also wants to steal your friend's personal data thus makes false promises of sending back money

Why would he return the $1800? Do you know his personal details/location?

Click to expand...

hawky121 said:

A friend of mine fell for a honeytrap online.

Now we want to get it back and the scammer is ready to pay via Western union. Which I don't trust that he will pay.

It's a little big amount Almost $1800.

But our concern is , would it be safe for my friend to give the scammer home address to receive funds in total amount which is a little big amount now????

He is not ready to send via other payment methods.

Click to expand...