Elderly Woman in Japan Loses Nearly ¥1 Million in Online Romance Scam
An 80-year-old woman in Japan has fallen victim to an online scam after being tricked by a fraudster posing as an astronaut.
According to police in Hokkaido, the victim first came into contact with the scammer through social media in July. Over time, the two developed an online relationship that authorities later identified as a typical “romance scam.”
The fraudster falsely claimed to be an astronaut “aboard a spaceship” and told the woman he urgently needed money to purchase oxygen. Believing the story, the woman — who lives alone in Hokkaido — transferred almost one million yen (close to Rs. 2 million).
Police have confirmed that the money was sent under false pretenses and are treating the case as part of a deliberate scheme designed to exploit the victim’s trust.
Authorities have urged the public to exercise caution while interacting with people online, especially when financial requests are involved. They stressed that if someone begins asking for money, it is important to verify the situation and seek advice before taking any action.
