SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
SCARS Open Letter: To Western Union
An Open Letter To Western Union
Dear Western Union
In a world filled with fraud and identity theft, you have to ask yourself what role you play in perpetuating and facilitating these crimes?
We understand that you are the World’s Money Sender – the largest by far, and you fill a vital role in helping private individuals in sending urgent money to friends and family. Frankly, we are very happy you are here! However, you are also the main conduit for the fraudsters in Ghana, Nigeria, and elsewhere, to extort or defraud their victims of their life savings, however small the payments may be.
We applaud you for your settlement and repayment program. Helping victims recover was a noble cause regardless of you reasons.
In addition, your improved disclaimer and certification questions, and advice against online scams and other fraud has been a major improvement. But the problem remains.
There has to be a way to help control this, that does not get in the way of legitimate transactions to real people, but maintains a log or database of known scammers!
We suggest the following:
1) Provide a website page to report scams. This should ONLY be usable for Western Union Senders with a valid MTCN number – this means you will have a verified identity of a potential victim to start with. You record and show publicly all complaints against recipients OUTSIDE the United States and Canada, or Western Europe – privacy laws and liability would probably prevent displaying US, CDN, and EURO residents anyway. Besides, the scammers are 99% outside these regions.
2) Anytime someone attempts to send money to a recorded or registered agency where scammer frequent (as in having been previously reported), display a warning to the sending Agent and have them notify the customer that there is a report on file for that receiving agent. Require that they do the transaction with your operators on the phone that can help verbally counsel the sender about the risk they are facing. You could even refer them to either law enforcement or support groups in their region that help romance scam or other money fraud victims.
3) Alter your terms and conditions with your overseas agencies and national companies to force reporting allegations of fraud to local authorities. Right now, NO ONE is reporting these to the governments involved. Your authority, under the threat of the loss of their agency standing, will force your partners to do this, and to provide you with proof of their actions in order to keep their agency status. This goes a long way to enhance Western Union’s name as a defender of its sending customers. Also require that in countries in West Africa such as Ghana, Nigerian, and other Very High Fraud localities, require your agencies to take digital photos of the receivers – these you can easily maintain for the benefit of U.S., Canadian, and European Law Enforcement, and connect them to your scammer database. Frankly, why are you not taking photos of all receivers already?
4) Offer a “For Fee” insurance service to senders against fraud. I think anyone foolish enough to send money to Ghana or Nigeria, probably doesn’t mind paying 10% additional for fraud protection.
5) Ban receivers with reports of fraud – do you really need their business, and that of their victims into those countries?
6) Make it easier to report fraudulent transaction by family members or friends of victims.
Even if you do only 1, 2, and 3 above, you can dramatically change the landscape and reduce significantly the amount of fraud coming out of Western Africa. You, Western Union, can become that beacon of light that you were over 100 years ago when you enabled communications around the U.S. and the World!
We have the highest respect for your corporation, and know what an outstanding corporate citizen you have been. We simply ask that you recognize the harm that is coming through abuse of your system, and that you will more actively help to reduce it.
We hope that all who read this, will forward a copy to Western Union as well and add your voices to the call for reason in a world full of insane fraud.
Warmest Regards
Society of Citizens Against Romance Scams [SCARS]
A nonprofit nongovernmental organization
Miami Florida U.S.A.
Please Send This To Western Union
Here is a PDF file that you can attach to your email – Western Union Open Letter »
We request that you add your name so they will not think it simply spam. You may send it to: westernunion.ir@westernunion.com
RSN™ Team
a division of SCARS™
Miami Florida U.S.A.
END
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FAQ: How Do You Properly Report Scammers?
It is essential that law enforcement knows about scams & scammers, even though there is nothing (in most cases) that they can do.
Always report scams involving money lost or where you received money to:
- Local Police – ask them to take an “informational” police report – say you need it for your insurance
- Your National Police or FBI (www.IC3.gov)
- The Scars Worldwide Reporting Network HERE or on www.Anyscam.com
This helps your government understand the problem, and allows law enforcement to add scammers on watch lists worldwide.
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Visit our NEW Main SCARS™ News & Information Facebook page for much more information about scams and online crime: www.facebook.com/SCARS.News.And.Information
To learn more about SCARS visit www.AgainstScams.org
Please be sure to report all scammers HERE or on www.Anyscam.com
All original content is Copyright © 1991 – 2018 SCARS All Rights Reserved Worldwide & Webwide – RSN/Romance Scams Now & SCARS/Society of Citizens Against Romance Scams are all trademarks of Society of Citizens Against Romance Scams Inc.
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Important Information for New Scam Victims
- Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims
- Enroll in FREE SCARS Scam Survivor’s School now at www.SCARSeducation.org
- Please visit www.ScamPsychology.org – to more fully understand the psychological concepts involved in scams and scam victim recovery
If you are looking for local trauma counselors please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org or join SCARS for our counseling/therapy benefit: membership.AgainstScams.org
If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines
A Note About Labeling!
We often use the term ‘scam victim’ in our articles, but this is a convenience to help those searching for information in search engines like Google. It is just a convenience and has no deeper meaning. If you have come through such an experience, YOU are a Survivor! It was not your fault. You are not alone! Axios!
A Question of Trust
At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish, Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.
Statement About Victim Blaming
SCARS Institute articles examine different aspects of the scam victim experience, as well as those who may have been secondary victims. This work focuses on understanding victimization through the science of victimology, including common psychological and behavioral responses. The purpose is to help victims and survivors understand why these crimes occurred, reduce shame and self-blame, strengthen recovery programs and victim opportunities, and lower the risk of future victimization.
At times, these discussions may sound uncomfortable, overwhelming, or may be mistaken for blame. They are not. Scam victims are never blamed. Our goal is to explain the mechanisms of deception and the human responses that scammers exploit, and the processes that occur after the scam ends, so victims can better understand what happened to them and why it felt convincing at the time, and what the path looks like going forward.
Articles that address the psychology, neurology, physiology, and other characteristics of scams and the victim experience recognize that all people share cognitive and emotional traits that can be manipulated under the right conditions. These characteristics are not flaws. They are normal human functions that criminals deliberately exploit. Victims typically have little awareness of these mechanisms while a scam is unfolding and a very limited ability to control them. Awareness often comes only after the harm has occurred.
By explaining these processes, these articles help victims make sense of their experiences, understand common post-scam reactions, and identify ways to protect themselves moving forward. This knowledge supports recovery by replacing confusion and self-blame with clarity, context, and self-compassion.
Additional educational material on these topics is available at ScamPsychology.org – ScamsNOW.com and other SCARS Institute websites.
Psychology Disclaimer:
All articles about psychology and the human brain on this website are for information & education only
The information provided in this article is intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.
While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.
Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.
If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.
Also read our SCARS Institute Statement about Professional Care for Scam Victims – click here to go to our ScamsNOW.com website.
I was scammed by the name of smith Gomez claimed to be a orthopaedic surgeon in Kabul asked em to send him phone then steam cards iTunes cards and money for application for leave which I sent £190 ($210 us ) via Weston union to an Eric Ramsey still have paperwork he managed to scam myself out of £300 or just over and is still requesting £50 steam cards even thou cut contact and ended romance as he asked me for more n more cards and more money for landing tax n travel costs for leave even sent me fake paperwork for applications with his friend jack Meier who was suppose to be a lieutenant in us army in Kabul he also treated to get me to send a laptop via Nigeria and cost me to get in debt for £137 and again £102 cell phone bill