The Department of Justice has started the Backpage remission process to compensate individuals trafficked through the Backpage.com website. This is the largest effort so far by the department to provide financial compensation to victims of human trafficking.
“Backpage.com facilitated the exploitation of women and children as one of the largest online advertisers for commercial sex and sex trafficking over its 14-year existence,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Backpage and its executives made millions off the trafficking of victims. Today’s announcement underscores the Department’s unwavering commitment to use forfeiture to take the profit out of crime and to compensate victims.”
“Backpage used its position as the leading commercial sex advertisement website to make millions of dollars through their corrupt and heinous peddling of people,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine for the District of Arizona. “The District of Arizona was proud to hold its executives accountable though criminal convictions and is proud to continue our efforts by forfeiting those ill-gotten gains to compensate real victims.”
“Today’s announcement shows the FBI’s commitment to ensuring that those who profit from human trafficking face the consequences of their actions,” said Assistant Director Jose A. Perez of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “We will continue to work alongside partners to thwart this industry by decimating its capacity for monetary gain while seeking safeguards for its victims.”
“Sex trafficking is one of the most horrific crimes we confront as a society,” said Chief Guy Ficco of IRS Criminal Investigation. “While traffickers try to operate in the shadows, the money always leaves a trail—and that’s where we come in. IRS-CI is committed to following that financial trail to expose criminal networks and help bring justice to survivors. We’re proud to work with our federal partners to dismantle those who profit from exploitation. Victims in this case should file their petitions by Feb. 2, 2026, to access the compensation they rightfully deserve.”
Between 2004 and April 2018, Backpage.com served as an online platform where criminals could facilitate commercial sex and sex trafficking, including cases involving minors. The government seized Backpage.com in April 2018 after investigations led authorities to find owners, executives, and related businesses guilty on charges such as conspiracy, facilitating unlawful commercial sex using interstate or foreign commerce facilities, and money laundering; sentences included federal prison terms.
In December 2024, more than $200 million in assets connected with Backpage profits were forfeited by authorities; these funds are now set aside for victim compensation.
Victims whose trafficking occurred via advertisements on Backpage.com between January 1, 2004, and April 6, 2018 can seek remission if they experienced financial losses related directly or indirectly from their exploitation during this period.
Epiq Global Inc., selected as Remission Administrator by DOJ, manages claims at https://www.backpageremission.com/. Victims or representatives can file petitions online or request forms via phone or email; all claims must be submitted before February 2, 2026.
Investigations into this matter were conducted by agencies including United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), FBI, and IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). Prosecution was led by Senior Trial Attorney Austin Berry from DOJ's Child Exploitation section along with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Rapp (District of Arizona) and Jonathan S. Galatzan (Central District California), among others involved in asset recovery efforts.
For further details about eligibility requirements or updates regarding compensation procedures visit https://www.backpageremission.com/.
