A couple were real businesses, 50% cost of a new pharmacy location (expanding her business), a backhoe business (paid part of the lease for new equipment), and a venture in the US, but sure, some were to get out of a bad loan deal and a family member who got in trouble. Got most back and helped some folks, so all good.
I've "invested/loaned" money many times over the years in Thailand to Thais for life issues or a business venture. From 5k to 150K, knowing there was a chance I would get nothing back. Fortunately, I have gotten about 85% back, being selective on who I loaned it to. If I wanted a 100% guarantee I would get it back, or earn some equivalent benefit, I would have had contracts/liens/assets of theirs on the line, or not loaned money at all. Without all that in place, anything else is a gift even if the expectation is it will be paid back, maybe even a profit made. At this point try to see if you can recover anything (50% would be a win) with the least effort as possible would be my advice.
Bring your two favorites, or that go with anything. I brought a suit, a white dress shirt, and a tie, "just in case". You can get all here though. Not worn in 5 years.
All that information, past history and stories, are widely available on the internet. THAT is the reason I 100% believe this was a set up. The guys you refer to would be too ignorant to even post such a question. If you are smart enough to ask the question, google can give you a lot of information resources with answers.
You need to set up your international wire transfer profile with Schwab first. Give them your bank details and they do a test transfer as I recall. You can download their form from the app (I use a laptop, bot sure if any different). Once set up, yes, you just fill out the short wire transfer form and it shows you the costs before you agree to send. When transferring something like $30k, I know I'm saving vs Wise.
For amounts under 10K USD (or so), Wise is best. Over that, which are what my transfers are a couple times a year, Bank to Bank cheaper because of the flat fee (at least with Schwab Bank).
