Western Union Situation

[Lizard King]

So I am talking to my friend last night who sells herbal remedies that he imports from China, not big time in any way, tells me he has a Western Union problem. He said that he went to the place he usually sends from and the woman asked him for ID, which is no biggie. He said he usually sends a few WU's all for $999 which doesn't require ID so uses a fake name, here is where it gets weird. He said that Western Union called the place after he sent his last payments through and asked for copies of the statements. Said the woman told him that ID is required from him, even though it is under $1K because of suspicious activity with sending several $999's over a few months and could be linked to illegal activity or terrorism (that's the part I laughed at him at, terrorist). He said she had a letter from WU along with photo copies of his last payments right next to the machine.
I suggested he just go to a different WU, make the amounts smaller, like $600 - $700 and send more of them in different locations so as to not raise any flags. Yeah the cost would be more for sending more but it's $15, come on.
Just thought it was an all around weird story since my only problems at WU are when idiots don't know how to use the machine or you use the grocery store where they ask you a million un-needed questions.
I think my suggestion was good, he thinks he is somehow flagged but with using a fake name I couldn't see how.
Going to post this a few places to get a mix of feedback.

[sportsclub]

Not following the reasoning behind the WU thing but I was denied sending $ b/c of "suspicious" something was really paying attention to the BS but it was b/c of my credit card not WU. But I am guessing he is sending cash with the fake ID. I can tell this shit is going to keep getting harder to pull off from here on out. Sucks

[Lizard King]

If anyone doesn't look shady it would be you Sporty
I sent a money gram a few weeks ago and there was a red phone in the middle of Rite Aid that I had to yell on with everyone looking at me, LOL

[S.B.C]

maybe i'm not paying attention but it sounds like it's the recipient who is flagged not your friend's false name ( u don't mention whether he uses the same false name for each wu or changes them up )

[powerhungry1]

LOL to yelling on the red phone in the rite aid! Now that a way to avoid attention.

I think the $999 thing could very well be the reason. you need to realize that people are looking for transactions that are intented to avoid transaction reporting requirements. Several $999 transaction will definitely do it.

Just as there is the $10,000transaction IRS reporting requirement (which is relatively commonly known), there are others too. For example, transactions exceeding certain $$ in CE - cash equivalents (ie, travellers checks) also invoke automatic reporting requirements, which in that example I believe is $3000 bought with cash though, if I recall, the amount is like $7500 (dont hold me to that) for credit card purchases of CE (I guess because they already know who the purchasing party is). The $1000 WU thing could even be an internal policy. Irrespective, they are looking for intentional avoiders. I would recommend even staying away from round numbers. Odd numbers create a better cover of legitimate transactions because legitimate [business] transactions rarely amount to even numbers. (example: send in amounts of $932, $746, $853, ect). Just a tip!

[SlowGrow]

Agreed with powerHungry. $999 transactions ... that's a little too obvious. He probably raised a red flag the first time he did it. After multiple transactions at the same location ... I'm suprised he didn't get more than a "I.D. Request".

If he did get caught, he would definately be linked to the multiple transfers ... because he used the same location. Now you are talking about thousands of dollars spent on illegal activity to another country ... not a nice situation

Just be smart about that kind of stuff. Can never be too cautious ... especially when your breaking the law!