An 80-year-old woman in Japan was tricked into sending money to a scammer who pretended to be an astronaut stranded in space.
According to Hokkaido police, the victim came into contact with the fraudster through social media in July. Over time, the two developed an online relationship that authorities later described as a classic “romance scam.”
The scammer claimed he was an astronaut currently “aboard a spaceship under attack” and told the woman he urgently needed money to buy oxygen. Trusting his story, the victim — who lives alone on Japan’s northern Hokkaido island — transferred nearly one million yen (nearly Rs. 2 million).
Police confirmed the money was sent under false pretenses and believe the entire interaction was part of a deliberate scheme to exploit the woman’s trust.
Officials have urged the public to remain vigilant against such scams, stressing that people should be cautious if anyone they meet online begins requesting money, regardless of the reason.