It can be used to send money to people that don't have a bank account. These people sadly exist, like some of my family. That said, being pressured to send them money by them lying could definitely be considered a scam :)
No shade on you man, you were young, just wondering if any who isn't being scammed ever chooses to use that service or of it's basically dedicated entirely to facilitating scams.
I was around 12 or 13 and saved all my money for a PS2. Found one on eBay (using my fathers account), won the bid, transfered the money and just never got it. No PS2, no money. But I learned very early not to trust people on the internet. Guess that was worth the price in hindsight.