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by EREFUNDO 5245 days ago
No we won't freeze, close, or withdraw money from people's accounts. Once it's open, it's open. Once the money is cleared, it doesn't go back. This is an ironclad promise we can make to users because of the unique way we process payments. Right now the model for peer-to-peer transactions is that after one party gets paid the other waits for his merchandise or services to be delivered (eWork projects). We solved this problem by creating a system that will give equal distribution of control to both parties during the entire process, disincentivising fraud on both sides. The system is specifically designed for people who outsource projects, freelance workers, and cross border peer-to-peer e-commerce. It would simulate the benefits of a face-to-face interaction by solving the problems created by the distance and time usually involved in these types of exchanges.
1 comments

Is "we" PayGuard? And are you saying you won't "freeze, close or withdraw", or that you can't? One is a promise. The other is a fact. See Colin Percival's post on the distinction: http://www.daemonology.net/blog/2012-01-19-playing-chicken-w...

It's also not clear to me how what you describe prevents scams and money laundering. Note that in the case of money laundering, it's the same party on both sides of the transaction.

You are absolutely correct, it is a promise. But it is also a guarantee. There are regulations regarding money laundering that we will have to comply with of course. Users are required to fill out certain forms if the the amount of a transaction exceed 3,000 for individuals and 20,000 for businesses. And these are not just "per transaction", it is per month. As with scams our system is specifically designed to prevent users from falling into the trap scam sellers or buyers. Of course it will never be absolutely fool-proof, but it does significantly reduce the incentive for fraudulent activities on both sides. Unfortunately, I cannot give out too much detail on how we do it. We are launching our beta system sometime around March and you will be more than welcome to try it out as a beta tester.