The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched the third and final phase of its compensation process for victims of fraud involving Western Union, reopening applications for eligible individuals who did not previously submit a claim.
The announcement, made on October 7, 2026, includes an additional $3.4 million in compensation for 1,294 victims. The DOJ said more than $436.9 million had already been distributed to over 180,000 victims in the first two phases.
The compensation comes from $586 million that Western Union agreed to forfeit under a 2017 deferred prosecution agreement (DPA). Eligible individuals who sent money transfers through Western Union between January 1, 2004, and March 9, 2020, can submit a petition for compensation under the reopened process.
Key details of the Western Union compensation process
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Announcing agency | U.S. Department of Justice |
| Company involved | Western Union |
| Total forfeiture agreed in 2017 | $586 million |
| Compensation distributed in first two phases | More than $436.9 million |
| Victims previously compensated | More than 180,000 |
| Additional compensation announced | $3.4 million |
| Victims receiving additional compensation | 1,294 |
| Eligible transfer period | January 1, 2004, to March 9, 2020 |
| Petition deadline | December 31, 2026 |
| Remission administrator | Verita Global LLC |
DOJ reopens applications for Western Union fraud victims
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The DOJ reopened the petition process because additional forfeited funds remain available to compensate people affected by the fraud scheme.
Under the process, individuals who sent money through Western Union after being deceived by fraudsters may qualify for compensation if they meet the eligibility requirements. This includes people who did not submit a petition during the earlier phases.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the DOJ’s Criminal Division said the final phase continues the department’s efforts to recover proceeds associated with criminal conduct and return funds to fraud victims.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) also highlighted the additional $3.4 million in compensation, describing the latest distribution as part of its work to protect consumers affected by fraud.
How fraudsters targeted consumers through Western Union
According to court documents, fraudsters targeted consumers, including older adults, through schemes that persuaded victims to send money using Western Union transfers.
The DOJ identified three common types of scams involved in the case:
- Grandparent scams: Fraudsters impersonated relatives who supposedly needed urgent financial assistance to avoid harm or deal with an emergency.
- Lottery and sweepstakes scams: Victims were told they had won a prize but had to pay fees, taxes, or other charges before receiving their winnings.
- Romance scams: Fraudsters posed as online romantic partners and requested money for travel or other purported needs.
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The DOJ said certain owners, operators, or employees at Western Union agent locations were complicit in the scheme. According to the government’s account, Western Union aided the fraud by failing to suspend or terminate complicit agents and allowing them to continue processing transactions linked to fraudulent activity.
Western Union agreed to forfeit $586 million
In 2017, Western Union entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the DOJ and acknowledged responsibility for criminal conduct that included violations of the Bank Secrecy Act and aiding and abetting wire fraud. The company agreed to forfeit $586 million to support compensation for victims.
Western Union also resolved a parallel civil investigation with the Federal Trade Commission.
After Western Union fulfilled its obligations under the DPA, a court granted the government’s motion to dismiss the criminal information against the company in 2020.
The remission process allows eligible victims to seek recovery from the forfeited funds. The third phase is intended to give people who missed earlier application periods another opportunity to submit claims.
How eligible victims can apply for compensation
Individuals who believe they were affected by the scheme can review the eligibility criteria and submit a petition through the official Western Union remission website.
Application details:
- Official website: Western Union Remission Phase 3
- Deadline: December 31, 2026
- Telephone: 1-833-419-4677
- Eligible transfer dates: January 1, 2004, through March 9, 2020
Eligibility is subject to the remission program’s requirements. Submitting a petition does not automatically guarantee compensation.
DOJ warns victims not to pay fees
The DOJ emphasized that neither the department nor Verita Global LLC, the appointed remission administrator, will ask victims to pay to participate in the compensation process.
Individuals should be cautious of anyone claiming to represent the government or the remission administrator who requests payment or sensitive information under the pretext of securing compensation.
Victims should use the official remission website or telephone number to verify information and avoid responding to suspicious communications. The DOJ also advises consumers to review guidance from the FBI and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on avoiding government impersonation scams.
Federal agencies continue efforts to return forfeited funds
The DOJ administers remission through its Asset Forfeiture Program, which aims to restore forfeited funds to victims of crime where possible.
The department said its Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section has overseen the remission process and returned more than $13 billion in forfeited assets to crime victims since fiscal year 2000.
The Western Union case involved cooperation among the DOJ, USPIS, the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation division, Homeland Security Investigations, and other federal agencies. The FTC conducted the parallel civil investigation.
The final phase provides another opportunity for eligible victims of the Western Union fraud scheme to seek compensation from the funds recovered under the 2017 agreement.
To read the original order please visit DOJ (Department of Justice) website