Overview

• An elderly woman in Hokkaido met a man on social media in July who claimed to be a male astronaut, according to police.
• The scammer alleged he was in space, under attack, and urgently needed oxygen, prompting a transfer of about 1 million yen (roughly $6,700).
• Police classified the incident as a romance scam, and local media reported the victim lives alone and had developed feelings during their exchanges.
• Authorities urged people to treat any request for money from online acquaintances as suspicious and to contact police.
• Coverage linked the case to broader patterns of organized fraud targeting older adults in Japan, and no arrests were announced.