Webmoney was founded in Russia in 1998, as an online payment settlement system, and is one of the biggest payment processers in Russia, having more than 3,00,000 active weekly users and over 41 million registered accounts. It is accepted in over 1,00,000 stores as a mode of payment. The service is also available for the residents of India. How can I add money to WebMoney in India?
It is a bit trickier than you may expect.
How can I add money to WebMoney in India?
Webmoney allows you to add money to different types of `purses´, depending on the currency that a user chooses. All the purses are clubbed into a single account known as a `Keeper, where one can keep a track of their funds. Users can top up their Webmoney account by the way of transfers from their bank accounts, or using a Visa/MasterCard credit or debit card. You can also use a prepaid card to make deposits, or transfer money via M-Pesa through a stock exchange.
The fees for deposits vary according to the method used. Bank transfers are charged 1% as transfer fees, while transfers done via cards attract a fee of about 2-5% depending on the card that you use. Deposits made through prepaid vouchers, prepaid card are free, while those done via M-Pesa is charged at 1%.
Conclusion
Webmoney, although extremely popular in Russia, is yet to find traction in other areas of the world. The system of `purses´ and `keepers´ can be intimidating and confusing, especially for someone who is new to the world of online payments and digital wallets.
Other international e-wallets like Neteller and Skrill offer similar services, and are widely accepted by merchants and websites across the world. The user interface of these sites are much more simpler compared to Webmoney. One can also use prepaid cards from providers like AstroPay which is an extremely easy and safe way to make online payments.
