Elderly Woman in Hokkaido Loses $6,700 in Online ‘Astronaut’ Scam
Hokkaido, Japan – September 2, 2025 –
A woman in her 80s was defrauded of roughly 1 million yen ($6,700) after falling for an elaborate online romance scam, authorities said Tuesday.
The victim, who lives alone on Japan’s northern Hokkaido island, met the fraudster on social media in July. The man falsely claimed to be an astronaut and asked for her assistance to resolve a supposed emergency on his spaceship, according to local police.
The scam escalated when he told the woman he was “under attack in space and running out of oxygen,” urging her to send money online to help him. The woman, who had developed feelings for him during their online exchanges, complied, resulting in a significant financial loss.
Police have urged the public to exercise caution: “If someone you meet online demands money, be highly suspicious and report it immediately,” a local officer said.
Japan, which has the world’s second-oldest population after Monaco, sees elderly citizens frequently targeted by sophisticated scams. Common tactics include impersonating family members in distress, promising fake refunds for pensions or insurance, and other forms of online fraud.
Authorities continue to warn seniors and their families to stay vigilant and verify any unusual requests for money, especially from online acquaintances.
