DOJ Opened Third Phase of Western Union Fraud Remission

The Department of Justice has authorized $3.4 million in payments to 1,294 victims of Western Union money transfer fraud.

Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Financial Crime

Isometric editorial illustration showing a wax seal on an envelope, symbolizing the official nature of the DOJ restitution process. — The U.S. Department of Justice has launched the third phase of a restitution program to return $3.4 million to victims of Western Union fraud. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The U.S. Department of Justice has launched the third phase of a remission process for victims of fraud involving money transfers. This effort follows a 2017 agreement where Western Union agreed to forfeit $586 million.

Why it matters

The program provides a mechanism for victims to recover losses from fraud occurring between 2004 and 2020. It ensures that remaining forfeited funds from the original settlement are returned to affected individuals.

The government has approved $3.4 million for distribution to 1,294 additional victims, building on a total of $586 million forfeited by Western Union. Legal action is managed via the remission process, with victims required to verify losses by Dec. 31.

The players

Department of Justice

The federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of federal law and the administration of justice.

Western Union

A global financial services company that specializes in money movement and payment services.

Verita Global LLC

A professional services firm that functions as the remission administrator for the government.

The details

Victims who did not participate in earlier phases can now submit petitions online to verify their losses from transfers sent between Jan. 1, 2004, and March 9, 2020. Verita Global LLC is acting as the remission administrator to process these claims.

Jan 1, 2004 – March 9, 2020: The period for qualifying fraud money transfers.
2017: Western Union entered a deferred prosecution agreement.
2020: Court dismissed criminal information against Western Union.
Dec. 31: Deadline to file a petition for remission.

Legal Context

This remission process follows the 2017 Western Union deferred prosecution agreement, which set a historical precedent for corporate forfeiture and victim restitution. It continues a trend where the government recovers and distributes assets to those harmed by large-scale financial schemes.

Victims who did not previously submit a claim may be eligible for repayment by filing a petition before the Dec. 31 deadline. The government explicitly warns that it will not request payment to participate in this remission process.

The takeaway

Eligible victims should move quickly to verify their past money transfer losses before the year-end deadline. Beware of any entities asking for fees to facilitate this recovery process, as the government does not charge participants.