Hello!
I need help getting started with a membership website where people can transfer money in and out of their accounts. I'm trying to build a site like Paypal where people in my country can have onlin accounts and send money online as well as receive.
I can only do little programming like form maillers, date... I need help on the structure and design of what i should do in the programming aspect.
Thanks
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ilovetoast
- Forum Contributor
- Posts: 142
- Joined: Thu Jan 15, 2004 7:34 pm
Well, here's a few thoughts...
First, IMHO, it is incredibly foolish to undertake this project, from a technical perspective, if you "can only do little programming." That said, this is no quick project. You need to learn to program first so I would urge you to check out the PHP manual and look for reference books.
Second, you need to have a lawyer take a look at your concept and assess it from a legal-financial standpoint. You need to have a legally qualified person sign off (in writing) on every element of what you're going to do. Not just concepts here, but implementations.
Third, you have to realize that you're in Nigeria (if your profile is correct). I cannot speak to money habits of Nigerians in regards to sending and receiving money. Is this only for Nigerians to use? You're going to have to deal with that screening issue. If it's for others as well, then go back to number 2 and find a lawyer in every country whose citizens you're going to allow to use this program and get their approval (in writing).
Finally -- and I'm sorry if this offends you or anyone else here -- no person with even a rudimentary understanding of current Internet fraud trends would/should have anything to do with a project that involves the words "money" and "Nigeria." Most people I know would sooner burn their money than use a Nigerian PayPal.
This is not an indictment of you personally. It is a collective indictment of Nigeria as a primary source of Internet fraud, particularly as pertains to payment services. It is the fault of the Nigerian government and those people in Nigeria who tolerate and engage in such behavior. Unfortunately, it has gone on so long and on such a massive scale that all Nigerians have been tainted as a consequence by simple virtue of their nationality.
I have done several large e-commerce projects for companies with real global presences. I make a routine practice to IP ban all visitors from Nigeria from using any online payment mechanisms. Sad, but necessary.
All that being said, if I had to do this project I would recommend:
1) Learn to program at a moderate level
2) Get legal advice for all laws pertaining to money transfer in every country you will allow to access this program.
3) Incorporate, or do whatever you can do in Nigeria to shift liability from you personally to a corporate entity.
4) Buy a big insurance policy from a first world underwriter.
5) Do something simple like become an e-Gold (or other DC) broker rather than start your own service. Use your programming knowledge to implement this type of option.
You need to realize if you allow a non-Nigerian to access this service, you become financially and criminally liable in the country where that person lives. Period. That may or may not translate into any ability on the part of that person or their country's law enforcement to be able or willing to do anything to you, but it is a statement of fact.
For example, if a person in America (not just a citizen) were allowed to use this service to transfer money to a Nigerian (or vice versa), US laws will apply. Under US laws you have a litany of reporting and finanicial requirements, not to mention probable concomitant liability, of both a civil and criminal nature, for any improper activities on the part of either the person in America or the Nigerian.
peace
soggy toast
First, IMHO, it is incredibly foolish to undertake this project, from a technical perspective, if you "can only do little programming." That said, this is no quick project. You need to learn to program first so I would urge you to check out the PHP manual and look for reference books.
Second, you need to have a lawyer take a look at your concept and assess it from a legal-financial standpoint. You need to have a legally qualified person sign off (in writing) on every element of what you're going to do. Not just concepts here, but implementations.
Third, you have to realize that you're in Nigeria (if your profile is correct). I cannot speak to money habits of Nigerians in regards to sending and receiving money. Is this only for Nigerians to use? You're going to have to deal with that screening issue. If it's for others as well, then go back to number 2 and find a lawyer in every country whose citizens you're going to allow to use this program and get their approval (in writing).
Finally -- and I'm sorry if this offends you or anyone else here -- no person with even a rudimentary understanding of current Internet fraud trends would/should have anything to do with a project that involves the words "money" and "Nigeria." Most people I know would sooner burn their money than use a Nigerian PayPal.
This is not an indictment of you personally. It is a collective indictment of Nigeria as a primary source of Internet fraud, particularly as pertains to payment services. It is the fault of the Nigerian government and those people in Nigeria who tolerate and engage in such behavior. Unfortunately, it has gone on so long and on such a massive scale that all Nigerians have been tainted as a consequence by simple virtue of their nationality.
I have done several large e-commerce projects for companies with real global presences. I make a routine practice to IP ban all visitors from Nigeria from using any online payment mechanisms. Sad, but necessary.
All that being said, if I had to do this project I would recommend:
1) Learn to program at a moderate level
2) Get legal advice for all laws pertaining to money transfer in every country you will allow to access this program.
3) Incorporate, or do whatever you can do in Nigeria to shift liability from you personally to a corporate entity.
4) Buy a big insurance policy from a first world underwriter.
5) Do something simple like become an e-Gold (or other DC) broker rather than start your own service. Use your programming knowledge to implement this type of option.
You need to realize if you allow a non-Nigerian to access this service, you become financially and criminally liable in the country where that person lives. Period. That may or may not translate into any ability on the part of that person or their country's law enforcement to be able or willing to do anything to you, but it is a statement of fact.
For example, if a person in America (not just a citizen) were allowed to use this service to transfer money to a Nigerian (or vice versa), US laws will apply. Under US laws you have a litany of reporting and finanicial requirements, not to mention probable concomitant liability, of both a civil and criminal nature, for any improper activities on the part of either the person in America or the Nigerian.
peace
soggy toast
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