Consumer complaint received 2026-03-29 00:00:00
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service — International money transfer
Issue: Fraud or scam — 
Company: WESTERN UNION COMPANY, THE
State: NY

Complaint narrative:
b"Subject : \nCrypto Currency Recovery - Legal Firm ( XXXX) - Money collected from me by International Money Transfers through the XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXs and Western Union Money Transfers about XXXX USD. Request for refund from the XXXX XXXX such as XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Complaint Regarding Coordinated Cryptocurrency Recovery Scam and Financial Fraud\n\nSir,\n\nI am writing to report a suspected cryptocurrency recovery scam involving a law firm and associated individuals who appear to have defrauded me under the pretense of recovering lost digital assets.\n\nOn XXXX XXXX XXXX I engaged with a company identified as XXXX XXXX XXXX which claimed to specialize in recovering funds lost in cryptocurrency scam. During this process, I was directed to coordinate with individuals involved in facilitating the recovery. A person identifying himself as XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX acted as my primary contact and guided me through the end-to-end recovery process, claiming to work in coordination with the firm and other parties.\n\nAs an initial step, on XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX requested that I complete and sign a XXXX-related application as part of an official regulatory requirement. Following his instructions, I submitted the completed document along with my XXXX XXXX XXXX-issued ID via XXXX. The application was addressed to the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXFollowing a purported review by the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX in coordination with XXXX (presented as a crypto wallet recovery agent), I was informed that I had the legal right to track the assets. To verify ownership, I was asked to provide my XXXX XXXX XXXX drivers license and the relevant XXXX wallet addresses (attached).\n\nAs a second step, a XXXX legal coordinator advised that the recovered funds would be processed through the XXXX platform and credited to my private wallet. Under XXXX and legal coordinator guidance, I downloaded the XXXX mobile application, created a private wallet, and shared wallet address as requested. Subsequently, I began receiving emails from XXXX legal department with updates on the recovery process. A case was opened under Case Number XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX (email attached for reference).\n\nAt the request of the legal coordinator, I provided my previously missing XXXX wallet addresses to support the recovery process and shared with XXXX technical team. I was then instructed to deposit USD XXXX into my XXXX private wallet to facilitate recovery of approximately USD XXXX from XXXX missing XXXX wallets. Following these instructions, I made transfers via XXXX XXXX XXXX (receipts attached) to individuals engaged (XXXX XXXX sent this information on XXXX forwarded emails from XXXX) as XXXX employees, who were said to coordinate with XXXX and credit the funds to my wallet. I was assured by XXXX XXXX XXXX that this amount would be reimbursed upon successful recovery along with Originally recovered money.\n\nAs a third step, after approximately XXXX XXXX(as i delayed to pay due to doubt), I received confirmation from XXXX legal department that the recovery process had been successfully completed (emails attached). The communication stated that a total of USD XXXX had been recovered, including USD XXXX from the lost wallets and my USD XXXX deposit. Following this, I provided my XXXX XXXX checking account details, including routing information of XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX branch, as requested for the transfer of funds (emails attached for reference).\n\nAs a fourth step: I was informed that XXXX legal team had transferred USD XXXX to a temporary transit account at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX,associated with XXXX crytpo plotform (seems to be fake), I subsequently received an email from XXXX XXXX confirming the transfer details, including the reference number and total amount, and requesting that I should provide an Origin of Funds declaration (email with supporting document attached) so that XXXX XXXX will transfer my recovered money to mXXXX XXXX XXXX checking account XXXX XXXX XXXXAs a fifth step: I received communication from an individual identifying himself as XXXX XXXX XXXX, claiming to represent XXXX and to be handling my case related to the Origin of Funds declaration for the XXXX XXXX transit account. Upon consulting XXXX XXXX XXXX I was advised that XXXX operates under XXXX oversees and that XXXX XXXX described as a XXXX XXXX XXXX specialist, would issue the required certification of Origin of Funds, received emails and phone calls from a XXXX-based number (XXXX XXXX XXXX), stating that my funds were held in the XXXX XXXX transit account and that I was required to pay USD XXXX to obtain the Origin of Funds certificate. I was assured that, upon issuance of the certificate, the funds would be transferred to my XXXX XXXX Checking Account within three business days.\n\nAlthough I initially expressed inability to pay such a large amount, I was repeatedly pressured to proceed. After approximately 20 days, I arranged the funds by borrowing from friends and relatives. Following instructions from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX I transferred USD XXXX via XXXX XXXX XXXX Western Union to individuals represented as XXXX employees ( all receipts attached). I was informed that these funds would be routed through my XXXX wallet and paid to XXXX for the certificate issuance in the form of Crypto as its crypto recovery ,for which recieved the receipt on the email. Subsequently, I received a document presented as the Origin of Funds declaration as Compensation. I was led to believe that this document had been submitted to XXXX XXXX and that my recovered funds would be transferred to my XXXX XXXX-Checking account within three business days.\n\nAs a sixth step: I received an email from an address (XXXX) claiming to represent the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX requesting additional documents to authorize the release of funds, including a Legalization Act (proof of origin of funds) and proof of payment of a transit fee. The email stated that the transaction would remain on hold until these requirements were met.\n\nMy legal coordinator, XXXX XXXX XXXX, responded that the Origin of Funds declaration issued by XXXX had already been provided. However, I was subsequently informed by the XXXX contact that a mandatory transit fee of XXXX% of the total(USD XXXX ) amount USD XXXX was required to proceed. Following instructions, I transferred this amount via XXXX XXXX and Western Union to individuals presented as XXXX employees, with the understanding that the funds would be routed through my XXXX wallet and paid to XXXX in the form of Cypto as suggested by XXXX XXXX A few days later, I received confirmation that the transit fee had been received. However, after about a week, I was asked to pay an additional USD XXXX as a penalty for an alleged payment error. I subsequently transferred an additional USD XXXX as instructed.\n\nIn total, I paid USD XXXX toward recovery-related expenses (USD XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX), primarily through transfers to individuals identified as Simplex employees under the direction of XXXX XXXX XXXX Of this, I am currently providing transfer details amounting to USD XXXX, with the remaining USD XXXX to be submitted separately. The following are the byfurcation \n\n1. XXXX XXXX for recovery, included in tot recovery of USD XXXX (original recovery amt is XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX doc. of Declaration of Origin of Funds to XXXX as per mail from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX USD - Transit fee paid to XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX to XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX - By mistake i transferred to XXXX employee as detailed below XXXX XXXX XXXX - I paid taxes for transferring the above money.\n \nI have strong reason to believe that I have been targeted by a coordinated cryptocurrency recovery scam, with XXXX XXXX XXXX acting as the primary coordinator since XXXX XXXX XXXX He directed and managed the entire process and maintained regular communication with me. In recent weeks, I requested transit receipts and ledger details from the individual claiming to represent the XXXX XXXX XXXX (XXXX), but received no response. Instead, I was repeatedly asked to pay additional penalties. When I raised these concerns with XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX he also stopped responding and continued to demand an additional USD XXXX.\n\nGiven these circumstances, I believe multiple parties were involved in a coordinated fraudulent scheme using fake identities, email addresses, and bank accounts across different locations. This has caused significant financial hardship, as I have lost my savings during the scam , and again i got into the next recovery scam am struggling to meet daily expenses. For investigation purposes, I am providing supporting evidence, including emails, XXXX communications, signed agreements, XXXX case updates, wallet details, payment receipts via XXXXWestern Union (totaling over USD XXXX), and correspondence related to XXXX XXXX XXXX and the purported XXXX.\n\nI respectfully request an immediate investigation based on the bank details of the individuals identified as XXXX employees by XXXX XXXX XXXX (identity unverified, as I am based in XXXX XXXX XXXX). \n\nI also urge you to investigate the recipient accounts at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX as they appear to be involved in fraudulent cryptocurrency activities. I request coordination with the respective banks and local law enforcement in XXXX XXXX XXXX in the country of XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX in the country of XXXX to help recover my funds at the earliest possible time, as this lost money was my life savings. \n\nI am available to provide any additional information if required XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. As a victim, I hope prompt action will also help prevent others from being affected by this scheme.Your immediate attention to this matter is highly appreciated.\n\nPlease find below a table summarizing the payments made based on instructions from XXXX XXXX XXXX via email and XXXX.\n\nlso please note following infomration of each of above involved suspicious persons and organisations and all documents have been attached for your referenceXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Legal Coordinator - XXXX XXXX , communicated with me on XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX being used to communicate XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXPlease note that when i contacted the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX to investigate and refund my money back, they have said that the communication should be flown from money transfer agents, i cant directly contact to the above two banks. \n\nHence, i request you to forward this immediately to the following money transfer agents.\n\n1XXXX XXXX XXXX transer Scam department ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Scam department \n3. Western Money transfer scam department\n\nLooking forward for your support and cooperation for scam recovery.\n\nThanks & RegardsXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation