Bad Credit Loan Services SCAMMED BIGHT TIME!!!!! I CANT BELIEVE THEY DID THIS TO ME! Raleigh, North Carolina

I cant believe I fell for these people!!!!!! I applied with them for a personal loan and within a few hours someone contacted me by the name of ARTHUR. He said that he found me a lender and to be able to get the loan that I needed, I would have to pay (5) months of payments up front..totaling $721.25 and then within 24 hours I would have my loan in my bank account. At first I felt funny about it, but when I was reassured that the payment I was making was towards my loan balance and that I wouldnt have a loan payment till April 5th 2011.
I then was instructed to wire them the money in which I did. The rep said to make me feel more comfortable I could put the wire in one of my friends names and once I did receive the loan, I can call Western Union back and change the name to the right person at the company. The next day I waited for my loan to be deposited into my account. After hours of calling them..in which no one would pick up the phone and booted me right to voicemail, I decided to call Western Union to track my money and to my surprise and horror, someone picked up the money claiming to be the person that I put on the transfer!!
I am going to try my best to get these people caught and I HOPE to get my money back! I have been calling them non stop since yesterday and I have friends and family trying to get a hold of them and no one is answering the phone.
PLEASE DONT FALL FOR THIS!!! I thought I was getting a legitimate loan and I desperately needed help and thought I was approved.