An 80-year-old woman in Japan has fallen victim to a bizarre scam in which a fraudster pretended to be an astronaut in space and tricked her into sending money.
According to Hokkaido police, the woman first connected with the scammer on social media in July. Over several weeks, the fraudster built an online relationship with her — a textbook example of a “romance scam.”
The impersonator claimed he was an astronaut “aboard a spaceship under attack” and urgently needed money to purchase oxygen. Convinced by the story, the woman — who lives alone on Japan’s northern Hokkaido island — transferred nearly ¥1 million (approx. Rs. 2 million).
Police later confirmed the entire tale was fabricated and part of a deliberate scheme to exploit her trust. Officials have since urged the public to stay alert against such frauds, especially when strangers met online begin asking for money.
Authorities warned: “No matter how convincing the story, always verify before sending funds.”
The case highlights how scammers continue to exploit loneliness and trust through creative but false narratives, with elderly citizens often the most vulnerable.