Do you send money...

[JimD]

...to your girl ?  A heads up.  There are around eighteen gangs in Cali now that specialize in robberies at gunpoint from a moto and they have figured out that the best targets are people who have received “giros” at places like Western Union from family or acquaintances in another country, mostly the US. There have been over 150 such robberies in the last seven months in Cali and the problem has reached such a critical stage that the money transfer companies now offer insurance against being robed on your way home. 47% of the cases have happened in the afternoon hours and the days when most of these robberies occur are Saturdays (56 cases this year),  Wednesdays  (53) and Fridays (51).

[whitey]

Yikes!  I have to send my wife some money this week ... fortunately the Western Union and her bank are both inside the same mall.  Still makes me a little nervous though ...

[Micky]

No More Western Union !!!!
Money Gram !!!
 
Last time I was in the U.S. I sent money home (here, Colombia).  I was in a big Walmart and they used MoneyGram instead of WU.  It was cheaper to send AND the money went to the bank Davivienda (here).  When my wife picked up the money it was at the inter-bank rate and NOT the double f in' you get from WU.
 
Micky

[fathertime]

here have been over 150 such robberies in the last seven months in Cali and the problem has reached such a critical stage that the money transfer companies now offer insurance against being robed on your way home. 

So now a dishonest person can buy 'robbery insurance' and have his buddies rob him and double his money?  That sounds like a losing business idea.


Fathertime! 

[whitey]

Great tip Micky - thanks!  Turns out there is a location where I am going to get my hair cut this aft.  I'll check it out!

[robert angel]

No More Western Union !!!!
Money Gram !!!
 
Last time I was in the U.S. I sent money home (here, Colombia).  I was in a big Walmart and they used MoneyGram instead of WU.  It was cheaper to send AND the money went to the bank Davivienda (here).  When my wife picked up the money it was at the inter-bank rate and NOT the double f in' you get from WU.
 
Micky

Yea,
Western Union is a rip off.  Depending on the location and amount of money, we use moneygram, although where they have it, and depending on the amount, xoom can be a better deal.

[V_Man]

Jim I will be in Cali soon. One look at me and anyone can tell I'm a gringo. It makes no difference what I wear or who I'm with, anyone can tell. At the rate of armed robberies you report it sounds like it's almost a given that I'll be a victim. 

[JimD]

V-man I haven´t once been robbed (by a man) in nine years. Just watch out for the chicas.They steal your money, your heart, the works!

[Gato4Astrid]

Jim I will be in Cali soon. One look at me and anyone can tell I'm a gringo. It makes no difference what I wear or who I'm with, anyone can tell. At the rate of armed robberies you report it sounds like it's almost a given that I'll be a victim. 

Then don't go there if you are worried about it.  You are safer in Bondi or Manly Beach