Elderly Japanese woman loses 160,000 reais to scammer who claims to be Russian cosmonaut who needs help to return to Earth | Globalism

A 65-year-old Japanese woman decided to go to the police after an alleged Russian cosmonaut called her asking for money. Before the fraud was suspected, the woman paid 4.4 million yen (about 160,000 Brazilian reais) to the scammer, who said he loved her and needed financial help to get back to Earth.

According to the “Yomiuri Shimbun” newspaper, the woman met the “astronaut” in June via Instagram. In the scammer’s profile you can find several photos of the space. In return, the person claimed to work on the International Space Station, where astronauts have limited access to cell phone service.

On LINE, a Japanese messaging app, the scammer repeatedly said that he loved the victim and even suggested her. I want to start my life there JapanHe said in one of the messages, according to Asahi TV. “Saying it a thousand times won’t be enough, but I will keep saying it. I love you.”

In order for the two to marry, the “astronaut” would need to return to Earth – which is when the requests for money began. Believing it was necessary to pay for the alleged fiancé’s return trip, the woman paid an estimated 4.4 million yen in five installments from August 19 to September 5.

But when requests for money continued, the lady became suspicious and decided to call the police. Now, officials from Higashimi Police Station, Shiga Prefecture, are investigating the case.