Overview

• An 80-year-old Hokkaido resident met a man on social media in July who claimed he was in space and urgently needed oxygen.
• Believing the story, she sent about 1 million yen in electronic money before the man cut off all contact.
• The woman reported the loss to Hokkaido police, who have opened an investigation with no arrests announced.
• A police officer warned residents to be suspicious if someone met online demands cash and to report such cases promptly.
• Official data show romance scams rising in Japan, with the National Police Agency logging 3,326 cases in the first 11 months of 2024.