News Shiga woman scammed by alleged Russian cosmonaut

[thomas]

I'm beginning to understand why Nigerian princes and Middle Eastern sheikhs are still successful after decades of scamming. Here's a new variation: a 65-year-old lady from Otsu, Shiga Prefecture , sent over 4m JPY to someone she met on the Line application. He claimed he was a Russian cosmonaut at the ISS and needed funds to return to earth.

Police are investigating whether a woman in central Japan was scammed into sending around 4.4 million yen ($30,000) to a person who claimed to be a Russian astronaut working at the International Space Station and needing money to return to Earth to marry her. The 65-year-old woman in Shiga Prefecture, became acquainted with the person on a social networking site in June before they communicated through the Line messaging app. The person repeatedly told her they loved her and proposed marriage, the police said. The suspect then asked the woman for money as expenses for a rocket and its "landing fees" on Earth, said the police. The woman accepted the request and transferred money to a bank account specified by the person between August and September.

Japan woman pays for 'Russian astronaut' to return to Earth in alleged scam - The Mainichi

OTSU, Shiga (Kyodo) -- Police are investigating whether a woman in central Japan was scammed into sending around 4.4 million yen ($30,000) to a person

mainichi.jp

 

[Grandpa Frank]

Need money for nukes !

 

[nice gaijin]

I don't mean to laugh but that is such an outrageous con. Truth is stranger than fiction.

If this is true, then there's just as many people who have yet to learn about scams before they can fall victim to them. This is why critical thinking, a healthy dose of skepticism, and some research skills are so important, and in their greatest need when someone wants something from you.

 

[Petaris]

I'm beginning to understand why Nigerian princes and Middle Eastern sheikhs are still successful after decades of scamming. Here's a new variation: a 65-year-old lady from Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, sent over 4m JPY to someone she met on the Line application. He claimed he was a Russian cosmonaut at the ISS and needed funds to return to earth.

Japan woman pays for 'Russian astronaut' to return to Earth in alleged scam - The Mainichi

OTSU, Shiga (Kyodo) -- Police are investigating whether a woman in central Japan was scammed into sending around 4.4 million yen ($30,000) to a person

mainichi.jp

I thought everyone knew that you couldn't board the spacecraft without having proof of a return ticket? I mean, what are they supposed to do? Just jump down? ;P

 

[Grandpa Frank]

Ahh crap! I lost my ticket and my credit cards are back on earth.....send help !