An elderly woman from Japan was tricked out of a substantial sum of money after being deceived by a fraudulent individual posing as an astronaut in urgent need of oxygen.
The woman, who lives alone, encountered the scammer on social media in July. Claiming to be an astronaut under attack and lacking oxygen while in space, the fake persona engaged her in conversations that led to an emotional connection. Eventually, the scammer convinced the woman to transfer £5,000 online to supposedly purchase oxygen, leaving her significantly out of pocket.
Authorities advised caution when dealing with individuals on social media requesting monetary assistance to avoid falling victim to scams. Japan, known for having one of the world’s oldest populations, frequently witnesses various forms of fraudulent activities.
This incident follows a case where a disabled British woman named Angela was exploited over seven years by online scammers who posed as a U.S. Air Force officer, resulting in a financial loss exceeding £167,000. Angela, living in isolation with multiple health issues, initially engaged with a man named Maxwell Johnson, allegedly serving in Syria, on Facebook. His daily messages provided her with a sense of companionship and hope, despite her physical ailments and loneliness.
By 2023, Angela had transferred over £167,000, leading to significant debt, including outstanding payments to energy providers and caregivers. With no resources left for essential expenses, her daughter intervened, disconnecting her from social media and alerting the authorities. Investigations by Britain’s National Crime Agency revealed the involvement of a Nigerian fraud syndicate behind the scam, confirming that the persona of Maxwell Johnson was fictitious.
