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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to feel uneasy about my friends request to transfer this money?

76 replies

just5morepeas · 15/09/2017 10:51

An old friend of mine works in Kuwait as an English teacher in an international English speaking school.

They just asked me if I could put some money into their bank account for them if they transferred me some via Western Union. They said they got paid cash.

I know they probably don't have anyone else they could ask but this makes me feel really anxious and I'm not sure why.

Getting paid cash just sounds bloody odd and shouldn't they have a bank account over there they could use? They've been over there at least a year - maybe more, can't remember exactly. I know they have bills in this country to pay but shouldn't they be able to do this via a bank account they can access over there?

OP posts:
Original poster
just5morepeas · 15/09/2017 11:15

I've emailed her, so hopefully she still uses that email/it hasn't been hacked too!

Don't worry, I'm not going to do it, even if it is her. I'll let you know if she responds.

OP posts:
Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 15/09/2017 11:16

Don't do it. At best she wants to avoid declaring earned money being brought into the UK.

More likely it's a scam - talk to her by phone ASAP and you'll find out what's happening, she may be completely unaware of the message you received.

Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 15/09/2017 11:17

Seriously, talk to her in person - that's the only way to be sure.

Maryz · 15/09/2017 11:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

alphajuliet123 · 15/09/2017 11:19

From Wiki:

In order to send funds, a sender goes to a Western Union office and presents funds (plus fees) for "Next Day" or "Money in Minutes" service. The sender provides his or her name and address, the recipient's name, and a designated payment destination. Western Union then provides the sender a 10-digit Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) that the sender must provide to the recipient. The recipient then proceeds to a Western Union agent office in the designated payment location, presents the 10-digit MTCN, and a photo ID. Money is then paid out to the recipient.

So....be suspicious if she wants you to transfer to her bank BEFORE you get the cold, hard cash!

Original poster
just5morepeas · 15/09/2017 11:20

She's changing numbers all the time, don't think I have her latest one.

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 15/09/2017 11:21

This all sounds very dodgy. Tell her to ask a relative. Don't you get involved. How much money are we talking about.

Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 15/09/2017 11:22

If you don't have her current number you're not close enough for this sort of favour!

Plump82 · 15/09/2017 11:22

Whether is £5 or £5000 please dont do it. The fact she changes her number a lot sounds dodgy too.

MyBrilliantDisguise · 15/09/2017 11:22

I'd be looking at two things - one would be why has she got such a lot of cash? The other would be why she can't send it via Western Union to her bank herself. Why does she need you as an intermediary?

Shockers · 15/09/2017 11:24

I've had this on a fb messenger message (we weren't fb friends, but I had his phone no and email stored on my phone) from DD's swimming coach, who was apparently on holiday and had lost his wallet with all cards and cash in it. I phoned him and he knew nothing about it. A few days later, he told me that several of his friends had received the same request.

streetface · 15/09/2017 11:25

Two words:

Hell. No.

TakeAnadin · 15/09/2017 11:25

No. Don't do it.It is either a scam or a scam.

RachelP247 · 15/09/2017 11:29

Common scam, get in touch with your friend in person to check. Don't rely on email.

GrumpyOldCatsNurse · 15/09/2017 11:30

well known facebook scam

Hissy · 15/09/2017 11:32

Ignore, ignore IGNORE.

Your friend is or is not awful with money, her life, her problems, her circus, her monkies.

Friends and money are like Oil and Water...

Andrewofgg · 15/09/2017 11:36

Whether she's a victim of a hack or taking part in a scam does not matter: Stay out of it!!

LagunaBubbles · 15/09/2017 11:40

Sounds so dodgy, so no dont do it!

Whinesalot · 15/09/2017 11:43

Wow. They are so clever.

Nikephorus · 15/09/2017 11:58

Ask for her latest mobile number by email and then ring her to speak to her directly so you can actually hear her voice to prove its her.

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 15/09/2017 12:09

Don't do this OP.
She has managed so far, and will continue to do so.

PoppyPopcorn · 15/09/2017 12:10

The two phrases "transfer money" and "Western Union" scream scam SO loudly.

Don't do it. The way it works is that the money will hit your bank account, you'll withdraw it and pay it to a third party through WUnion, then at some point later your bank will claw back the money as it was a fraudulent transaction in the first place. So you've lost whatever you've transferred on and someone in West Africa is skipping and dancing to the nearest Western Union in delight.

chickenowner · 15/09/2017 12:12

It could indeed be a scam.

BUT I taught overseas for years and in some countries was paid in cash. I would be given an envelope each month containing US dollars.

So it is possible.

JonSnowsbuttocks · 15/09/2017 12:15

Discuss it with her bank, let them have the final decision in this transfer. Worked in financial industry for 12 years they will be able to see her account see what's unusual and make the final decision on this. If her bank reject the transfer you have still tried to help her as a friend. If it money laundering you are also bringing it to the banks attention without really donning her in they will appreciate it.

ChasedByBees · 15/09/2017 12:15

Even if it's not a scam, don't do it. She has to be able to manage her own finances without friends acting as intermediary brokers.