An 80-year-old Japanese woman has lost her entire life savings after falling victim to an elaborate scam involving a fraudster who posed as an astronaut stranded in space.
According to reports from local media, the scammer contacted the elderly woman online, claiming to be a Russian astronaut working on the International Space Station (ISS). He convinced her that he urgently needed money to purchase oxygen and cover re-entry expenses to return safely to Earth.
The fraudster reportedly gained the woman’s trust through repeated online exchanges, professing affection and promising marriage once he landed in Japan. Moved by his pleas, the woman transferred her savings in several installments, amounting to tens of millions of yen.
Her suspicions were eventually raised after the scammer’s demands continued to escalate. She contacted authorities, who later confirmed the so-called astronaut was a fraudster operating a common “romance scam” scheme.
Police have launched an investigation into the case, warning the public—particularly vulnerable elderly citizens—about such online frauds that prey on loneliness and trust.
Japan has seen a surge in similar scams, with con artists impersonating public figures, professionals, and even astronauts to exploit victims emotionally and financially.
Source – My News Ghana
