An 80-year-old woman from Sapporo, Japan, was scammed out of ¥1 million by a fraudster posing as a stranded astronaut in an oxygen crisis. The scammer built a romantic connection online before claiming he needed money to buy oxygen and return to Earth. This bizarre case highlights a growing trend in romance scams, including recent deepfake impersonations of celebrities like Steve Burton and Brad Pitt. Seniors remain prime targets due to emotional vulnerability and digital isolation. Authorities urge caution and stress that any online request for money—especially from supposed public figures or strangers—should be treated as a potential scam.
by rrollins
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