Digital arrests, bank officers, and Income tax fraud officers – can scammers go any further? Turns out that the sky is the limit for these scammers. Recently, an incident from Japan highlighted how scammers are turning to the old population for new scam ideas, considering their emotional vulnerability. An 80-year-old woman recently lost approximately Rs 6 lakh to a scammer posing as a fake astronaut.
The scammer, who, according to reports, claimed to be a Russian cosmonaut named Ilie, pretended to be in distress aboard the International Space Station. The fake astronaut managed to convince the elderly woman to send him money for fuel and landing fees, and then ceased all communications, after which the lady filed for the scam.
New ‘astronaut scam’ claims elderly woman’s wealth
The victim, who lives alone in Hokkaido, developed a romantic interest in the scammer through their online interactions. As reported by CBS News, she was told by the scammer that he was “in space on a spaceship right now” and needed money to “return to Earth to get married.” Over several months, she sent him various sums, believing she was helping the man she loved. The woman ended up sending over 1 million yen to the scammer over the months.
The scam came to light when the victim reported the incident to Japanese police. The ‘fake astronaut‘ scammer had promised to return the money once he was back on Earth, but ceased all contact after receiving the last payment.
Romance scams on the rise in Japan
According to the Japanese National Police Agency, there have been 3,326 reported romance scams in the first 11 months of 2024, a significant increase from the previous year. This surge in fraud has prompted authorities to issue warnings to the public. Officials advise citizens to be wary of individuals they meet online who quickly profess love and then ask for money.
The police also emphasised the importance of reporting such incidents to help the authorities track down scammers and prevent other people from falling prey.
What should you do if someone asks for money online?
You should never send money or share any confidential information with anyone online or over the phone. As scammers come up with new ways to cheat people, it is always advised to stay cautious and cross-check facts and figures.