All of the below online or physical payment processors are very safe in general, Use this information if you are assuming a Scam and if you are dealing with large amounts of money. What is the best way to make a transaction?  And.... if you run onto a thief, or unfortunately..... you have already sent him your cash, what are your chances of getting your money back.?

using : egold, paypal, moneybookers, western union, letter of credit, escrow

 
egold
e-gold is an electronic currency 100% backed at all times by gold bullion in allocated storage. e-gold is integrated into an account based payment system that empowers people to use gold as money. Specifically, the e-gold payment system enables people to Spend specified weights of gold to other e-gold accounts. Only the ownership changes - the gold in the treasury grade vault stays put. e-gold is always as good as the gold it's backed with - this year, next year, a thousand years from now. Buying e-gold can also be used as an investment opportunity. There is no buyer safety program, once you do the payment you can't get your money back, so be careful and check to whom you are sending your money. I have done lots of transactions with it, if you use it wisely e-gold is a good payment processor.
 
RISK: Risk is 100% on the Buyer Side

Paypal
Founded in 1998, Paypal, an eBay Company, enables any individual or business with an email address to securely, easily and quickly send and receive payments online. In Online payment processors it is one of the safest that is if you deal with caution. Always check to who you send your funds.

RISK: Risk is 100% on the Buyer Side. That paypal has a buyer protection program will not help you much if you run onto an experienced scammer.

Moneybookers
Moneybookers is a tool that allows you to safely send and receive money via email - instantly. You can send money from your credit/debit card, transfer money to and from your bank account. Use Moneybookers whenever you need to send money to someone (settle a debt with a friend, pay for online purchase/auctions...) or when someone needs to send money to you. This one is my favorite. Customer support, fees, everything is great with them. Processing and appearance is same as with other online payment processors.

RISK: Risk is 100% on the Buyer Side.

Western Union - WU
Western Union is a method of transferring cash from person to person in minutes. It is available in over 200 countries and territories worldwide usually in a bank or postal office. There are a number of reasons that you might want to send money to a family member or friend:

* when they have run out of money on holiday
* when they have had their wallet, cash or bank cards stolen abroad and need money urgently
* to help pay student fees
* as a birthday gift

But never to pay for an item that you are unsure about receiving! It is widely used as a money laundering option amongst scammers.
To find an agent near your go to:
http://www.westernunion.com/

RISK: Risk is 100% on the Buyer Side.

MoneyGram
Almost the same as Western Union. A popular money laundering tool. So don't use it if you are suspicious.
http://www.moneygram.com
RISK: Risk is 100% on the Buyer Side.

T/T, Teletransfer, Wire Transfer, Bank Transfer, Postal Money Order
These methods are the easiest payment from and is typically used when samples or small quantity shipments are transported by air. It should be used between buyers and sellers who have already established a mutual trust, as those are the fastest and cheapest way of cash transfer. It usually takes 3-4 days for such a wire transfer anywhere in the world and up 5-10 days for a postal money order. If you will be using this method try and propose a 50/50 or 30/70 deal. That is 50% of money in advance and 50% after you receive the goods.

RISK: RIsk is mostly on the buyers side. While you are sending money to an official address or bank account remember it still could be a fake one.

L/C Letter Of Credit
A binding document that a buyer can request from his bank in order to guarantee that the payment for goods will be transferred to the seller. Basically, a letter of credit gives the seller reassurance that he will receive the payment for the goods. In order for the payment to occur, the seller has to present the bank with the necessary shipping documents confirming the delivery of goods within a given time frame. It is often used in international trade to eliminate risks such as unfamiliarity with the foreign country, customs, or political instability.

RISK: Evenly shared between buyer and supplier.

Escrow
Escrow is a third party service which makes online deals safe. Once a deal between buyer (import) and supplier (export) is negotiated, the buyer sends money to escrow. When your funds arrive at escrows office they notify the supplier about this, he then sends the goods directly to us. When we receive the goods we have an inspection period offered in this time we can verify the validity of our items. If everything works, we call escrow who releases the payment to the buyer. Payment is done, goods have arrived, everybody is happy. Please note there are also fake escrow services.

RISK: Evenly shared between buyer and supplier.

(Fonte Safe Trading-Aibaba)