How (by what means) can a Russian send me some money?

Question

Im from Australia and I helped out a Russian from Moscow while I was over there, and now he wants to repay me the money he owes. It's not too much, 10,000 roubles (about AU$500).

However I don't know how he can transfer the money to me (I'm in Sydney).

I don't want to use Western Union as I don't want him to know my full name (he turned out to be a bit creepy / stalkerish, but was nice when I lent him the money). I certainly don't want to give him my bank account details or home address.

Is there any other way?

Thanks, Tracy.

As I said I really don't want to give him my full name (I don't know if youve had a stalker before, it's not nice).

I might just have to count my losses and be done with it.

Answer 1

You can use Western Union but do not use the recipient will have valid ID option. They will have to specify a test question which you will know the answer too so you can get your cash. This way you can give a bogus name and still get your money. You can agree on an answer before he transfers.
Other choices are that he can mail the cash via DHL or Fed Ex but this is expensive.
To send 10,000 roubles by Western Union will cost around 800 roubles but by mail around 2,000.

Answer 2

I agree with John B - using Western union with an option "without ID" is probably the best thing to do.

Alternatively you can use PayPal (you create an account with a nickname, not the real name), but for Russians without Internet paying through PayPal can be quite complicated.

I won't recommend sending cash by FedEx simply because it's illegal.

Answer 3

Contact western union and ask them how the money can be sent to you without providing them with your personal information. If there is no way the money can be sent to you without providing the personal information and if you can afford it just write it off as a lesson learned. Peace of mind is worth an easy 500.

Answer 4

OK, I am Russian from Moscow. I live in Anchorage, Alaska, USA for past 7 years, and I am telling you it is much easier to send money over there than back from there.

First of all ----> NO BANK ACCOUNT NUMBERS!

In my personal experience it is less painful if a guy knows your name than he knows your bank account number. And if something happens you can protect yourself from a stalker from Russia even if he will try to contact you in Australia.

Worst comes worst, if he will give you a hard time you can simply contact your local police and ask them to contact Australian Embassy in Moscow and put him on a black list, so he won't be able to get a visa to enter the country.

I had something the same happened to me during my last visit to Moscow, when my ex-husband threatened to shoot me and my 13 years old daughter, so I contacted US Embassy and to date my ex could not enter the country.

Have faith in Western Union and your Law Enforcement. I am sure your have learned your lesson (so did I).

Good luck.

Answer 5

I was emailing a phony woman from Russia who didnt take long to ask me for money for a visa which they cant get anyway i would suggest using western union i dont see what giving your name matters or just alter it a bit for the transaction. He is not going to leave the country to find you.

Answer 6

Hmm.......BIG QUESTION....sounds like a scam....