Avoid them like an STD – I am purchasing property overseas and agreed with my lawyer (licensed, registered, completely legitimate) to transfer money via Western Union. They took the money from my account and half an hour later called me from the USA to interrogate me. After I explained that I know the receiver and he is my lawyer, I was told that the transaction was declined. Mind you it was a small amount about $1,100 dollars. When I asked why it was declined I was told they could not tell me. Then I asked them to refund me the money right away because I needed the money to complete the legal transaction overseas. I was told it would take 7 business days.

These guys are dodgy. Surely sending money to a lawyer in Europe is not a riskier transaction than sending money to Pakistan, Afghanistan etc but it seems Western Union would prefer to accommodate shady transactions to terrorist zones than legitimate transactions with lawyers in Europe.

Avoid them like you would avoid an STD.