80-Year-Old Scammed Out of 1 Million Yen by “Astronaut” Catfish Claiming to Need Oxygen

An 80-year-old woman from Hokkaido, Japan, has lost approximately ¥1 million (about US $6,700–6,800) in a bizarre romance scam. She believed she had formed a romance with a stranded astronaut. The scam began in July when the elderly woman connected with a man online who claimed to be an astronaut stuck in space.

As the pair chatted, the scammer gained her trust and eventually portrayed himself as being under attack and urgently needing money for oxygen supplies. Believing her space-man was in imminent danger, the woman transferred the funds to help him, only to discover later that there was no spaceship, no crisis, and no romance.

The Hokkaido police labeled this a case of typical “romance scam,” emphasizing how emotional manipulation, particularly through improbable stories, can lead vulnerable individuals, especially seniors, to part with life savings.

Unfortunately, this isn't an isolated incident. Experts and authorities warn that online romance scams are increasingly creative and damaging. Reports claim that in 2024, more than 7,600 people aged 60 and older in the U.S. alone lost over USD $389 million to similar schemes. Many victims never getting justice, being too embarrassed to come forward.