An elderly Japanese woman in her 80s was convinced she was helping an astronaut in distress ultimately losing nearly 1 million yen (≈ £5,000) to an online romance scam. The scammer claimed he was trapped in space and urgently needed money to buy oxygen.
How the Scam Unfolded
- They connected on social media in July and built a supposed romantic bond.
- He posed as an astronaut, claiming to be “in space on a spaceship”, under attack, and in dire need of funds to purchase oxygen.
- The victim, living alone, trusted his story and transferred the money. Tragically, it was all part of a calculated scheme.
Escalating Threats Worldwide
Online romance fraud continues to rise globally:
- In Japan, over 3,300 romance scams were reported in the first 11 months of 2024 double from the year before. Total losses exceeded ¥34.6 billion (~£174 million).
- In the UK, one in ten adults have faced romance scams. Victims aged 61+ lost an average of £19,000 in 2024.
- In the US, over 64,000 people lost more than US$1 billion to romance scams in 2023.
Red Flags to Watch For
| Warning Sign | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Emergency or dramatic plea | Scammers create urgency to bypass rational checks. |
| Requests for money from someone you’ve never met | A major indicator of manipulation. |
| No verifiable identity or proof | Claims like “astronaut” aren’t easily verified. |
| Emotion-based persuasion | Exploits loneliness or empathy, especially in older adults. |
How to Protect Yourself
Report suspicious behavior: Inform local law enforcement or your platform’s fraud department to help others avoid similar harm.
Never send money to someone you’ve only met online even a convincing story shouldn’t override caution.
Verify identity: Use reverse image search, insist on real-time video chats, and confirm details.
Talk to someone: A second opinion from a friend, family member, or authority can break the emotional hold of a scammer.
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