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Romance scammer posing as a stranded astronaut swindled an 80-year-old woman out of $6,700 — fraudster claimed they needed funds for oxygen supplies

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Tom's Hardware

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An 80-year-old woman in Japan fell victim to a romance scam where a fraudster posed as a stranded astronaut needing funds for oxygen supplies, swindling her out of $6,700. The scammer, who the victim met online in July, claimed to be in space and under attack, manipulating her into sending money. This case serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of online scams, with authorities warning the public to be vigilant. Despite the bizarre astronaut twist, romance scams are prevalent, with thousands falling victim to such schemes annually.

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