Fake astronaut cons 24 lakhs from a woman by promising to return earth and marry her

Digital Desk: While meeting strangers online might be thrilling, there is also a greater chance of being scammed. Recently, a "fake astronaut" defrauded an elderly Japanese woman.

 

The 65-year-old who was deceived by a Russian astronaut lost over Rs. 24.8 lakh after paying his "landing expenses" for him. The fraud started when the elderly woman came in contact with the man on Instagram who claimed to live on the International Space Station.

 

The man sent the woman numerous images from orbit to persuade her. After four months of continuous conversation, the man finally asked the elderly woman to marry him. He admitted to her that he was in love with her and wanted to marry her.

 

The tenacious "fake astronaut" sent love letters and claimed that he was looking forward to beginning a new life with her in Japan.

 

Later, he revealed to her that he required a staggering 4.4 million yen in order to land on the planet. The con man claimed that he had to cover the cost of the rocket that would take him to Japan.

 

She made the decision to assist him with his "landing costs" because she was eager to meet the man. Between August 19 and September 5, she made five instalments of the substantial payment.

 

But when the scam artist kept asking for more money, the old woman became suspicious. She consequently lodged a report after realising she was a victim of an online fraud. The unfortunate incident is under investigation and is being treated as an international romance scam.