Easiest, cheapest, safest way to transfer money to India

[FallenMadonnawiththeBadBoobies]

Hi, can anyone recommend a good way to transfer money to a friend in India please? I’m getting on a bit and this is something I’ve never done before. Want to make 2, perhaps 3 payments of around £200 per year.

I use TORFX to move money from the UK to my Aussie account.

1. They do not charge a fee.
2. You set up an account with TORFX.
3. Once you've sent them the money by bank transfer it's kept for a few days while they make their profit.
4. They phone you. The phone call will require to confirm some personal details and special questions.I've always had an assigned person who deals with my account. Then you agree a transfer exchange rate. They tell you how much your English money will be in rupees. The agreed rate is binding. If you change your mind, you will be charged a fee. They remind you of this every time.
5. The money goes into the receiver's account in their currency after the rate is confirmed.
6. Everything is confirmed by email.

You save TORFX as a trusted payee with your bank..

They were recommended to me by a banker who said never transfer abroad through your bank as the fees are horrendous.

I've never had any problems with them.

Not sure about India specifically, but use WISE for transfers from USA

Okay, thank you. Have heard of WISE, but not TORFX, which sounds interesting, although more complex than I would like. Agree about avoiding banks.

wondering if anyone had used PayPal?

Use wise for multiple countries with no issues

Another Wise user. Once you have set up your first payment the details will be retained so that you can repeat it as often as you like and don’t have to enter them every time.

When you say friend is this someone you know in real life or an internet friend

Yes, the OP’s post is quite worrying. If this is a charity payment I do hope she’s done her due diligence.

I am worried. Are you being scammed?

Please don't worry, I am not being scammed. Yes, it is someone we know in real life. They have recently had a baby and we know that a relatively small amount (to us) will have a significant effect on the child's life chances.

That’s a lovely thought but sending regular amounts is quite a commitment and a responsibility. I know you didn’t post for advice on this, but are you happy to take this on as a lifelong commitment? Because if it’s life changing for them they may well come to depend on it.

I understand your concerns. However, we haven't said to them that it will be a lifelong commitment at all, nor how much we shall be sending. We want to help so long as it has no effect on our standard of living or helping our own adult children, and on the basis that it is put away for her.