Justice Department Launches Final Phase of Western Union Fraud Victim Compensation

October 7, 2026Federal & NationwideBusiness & Corporate

The U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday that the third and final phase of its Western Union fraud remission program is now open. The round will distribute an additional $3.4 million to 1,294 victims who sent money through Western Union between Jan. 1, 2004 and March 9, 2020.

Western Union entered a deferred prosecution agreement in 2017, forfeiting $586 million for violations of the Bank Secrecy Act and for aiding wire‑fraud schemes. The DOJ has already paid more than $430 million to victims in the first two phases.

How the remission process works

Victims can submit a petition for remission online at www.westernunionremissionphase3.com or download a paper form from the same site. The deadline to file is Dec. 31. Eligible claimants must show they transferred money through Western Union during the specified period and that the transfer was part of a fraud.

How to file a remission petition

1Gather transfer receipts and any related communications
2Visit www.westernunionremissionphase3.com to start the online petition or download the form
3Submit the petition before Dec 31, 2026
4Monitor the Victim Portal for status updates

Source: U.S. Department of Justice

What types of scams were involved

According to court filings, fraudsters targeted consumers—especially seniors—with three common schemes: the “grandparent” scam, where a caller pretended to be a relative in urgent need of cash; lottery or sweepstakes scams that demanded fees to release a prize; and romance scams in which a fake online lover asked for money to visit.

Who helped recover the funds

The remission effort is overseen by the DOJ’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section, with assistance from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, multiple U.S. Attorney’s Offices, the FBI, IRS‑Criminal Investigation, and other federal partners. Verita Global LLC serves as the remission administrator and has warned that neither it nor the DOJ will ever ask victims for payment to process a claim.

What victims should do now

If you think you may have been scammed, gather any receipts, transfer records, or communications related to the Western Union transaction. Then file a petition before the Dec. 31 deadline. The portal will provide status updates and FAQs. Be wary of anyone demanding money to “process” your claim—official communications come directly from the remission administrator or the DOJ.

While filing a petition does not require a lawyer, victims who need help understanding the process or who encounter complications may benefit from consulting an attorney.

What this means: our conclusions

2 Good news1 What to watch1 Context1 What to do

Good newsMore money reaches fraud victims
The final phase adds $3.4 million, showing the DOJ’s continued effort to return forfeited funds to consumers.
What to doDeadline creates urgency
The Dec 31 filing deadline means potential claimants must act quickly or lose their chance at compensation.
Good newsNo fees required for claims
The DOJ and remission administrator explicitly state they will never ask for payment, helping protect victims from secondary scams.
What to watchPotential for additional victims
Reopening the petition process may capture victims who missed earlier rounds, expanding the pool of compensated individuals.
ContextComplex fraud schemes highlighted
The case underscores how scammers exploit seniors with grandparent, lottery, and romance scams, prompting vigilance in future transactions.

Primary sources & the law

www.ic3.gov/PSA/2025/PSA250418 ic3.gov
consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-avoid-government-impersonation-scam consumer.ftc.gov
www.uspis.gov uspis.gov
www.consumer.ftc.gov consumer.ftc.gov
Criminal Division justice.gov

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This article is general information based on U.S. Department of Justice and court or agency records available at publication time. It is not legal advice; laws and deadlines differ by state and by case. Published October 7, 2026.