Consumer complaint received 2015-12-18
Company: WESTERN UNION COMPANY, THE
State: FL
Product: Money transfers
Sub-product: International money transfer
Issue: Fraud or scam

Complaint:
I have a complaint against Western Union. I had made several transactions to XXXX before someone from Western decided to let me know that that area had been deemed a known area for scams. On XXXX XXXX I had made several transactions to XXXX XXXX XXXX for the purchase of a puppy I thought I had bought from a XXXX XXXX XXXX from Virginia. The transactions I had made this day totaled {$1400.00}. It was n't until Monday XXXX XXXX when I went to make another transaction that a Western Union employee stopped the transaction and took some information from me and told me that this was a flagged area for scams. At that time I was reimbursed my money in the sum of {$2200.00}. I was the stupid one after that and the individual convinced myself and my mother that the puppy was coming and that they needed the money. So we decided to send the last {$2200.00} anyway. 
I did file a police report because I would like to at least recoup the money I sent prior to being warned about the scam area. 
I want to share this with the world because this is a scam that pertains to the selling and shipping of puppies. Looking on the internet under what I thought were legitimate sites ( XXXX. ) I thought I was purchasing a XXXX puppy from a man in VA, by the name of XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) for {$450.00}. He sent me paperwork for change in ownership and everything. He said that he was going to ship the dog and that I should receive him in a day or so and that the shipping company would be contacting me. I did n't think about it at the time but he insisted that I send the money through XXXX. The money went to VA so I thought everything was good. 
Well the shipping company ( under the logo of XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) and XXXX ) contacted me the next day to tell me that they needed {$1200.00} to provide a crate for the puppy and insurance, which would all be refunded once the puppy arrived. I in turned called the seller back and asked him if this was legit and he assured me it was, me not thinking he was in on the entire scam, I sent the money using my Debit card through XXXX and sent it Western Union. I did find it odd at the time that I was sending it to XXXX, but I figured since it was an international company that may be normal. 
Well the next day the shipping company kept calling and for some reason the puppy could never get on the flight coming to FL. Then Sunday they called stating that they needed another {$2200.00} for the USDA certificate and license so that the puppy could come to the state of FL and that the puppy had to go through customs. I kept telling him the puppy only came from VA why was he going through customs. He being of XXXX nationality kept saying it was part of their process. I reluctantly paid the {$2200.00} because the dog was for my mom who really wanted a XXXX and I really wanted her to have XXXX. She has XXXX XXXX and she 's on XXXX so she does n't get to leave the house very often and she wanted a companion and I thought this would make her happy and I wanted to give it to her for XXXX. It was this day reality slapped me hard in the face. Western Union had flagged XXXX and they told me that this was a scam. I was so convinced that these individuals were being honest with me that I did not listen even after Western Union gave me the {$2200.00} back. I still sent it, {$1100.00}, {$1100.00}, because I just did n't want to see the truth. But like I said reality slapped me hard in the face. 
All I want is the {$1400.00} back from Western Union because if they knew it was a area known for scams, they should not allow anyone to transfer to that area.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation