An 80-year-old woman in northern Japan lost about one million yen (roughly £5,000) after being tricked by a sophisticated online romance scam.
The woman reportedly met the scammer on social media in July. Over time, the two developed an online relationship. The fraudster claimed to be an astronaut stuck aboard a spaceship and said he was in danger, insisting he urgently needed money to purchase oxygen.
Living alone and believing his story, the woman transferred the money. Authorities later determined it was a romance scam and have since warned residents to stay cautious when someone they meet online asks for financial help.
Romance scams have been rising worldwide, often targeting people looking for companionship. Scammers use emotional manipulation to make victims believe they’re in genuine relationships, sometimes persuading them to hand over significant amounts of money.
Japanese officials are urging citizens, particularly older adults, to double-check such requests with family or consult the police before sending money to anyone online.