A space rescue that never was
An 80-year-old woman in Hokkaido sent roughly ¥1 million (about $6,700/£5,000) to a man online who said he was an astronaut stuck on a spaceship and running out of oxygen. Police say the pair met on social media in July and stayed in touch for months. The messages turned romantic. Then came the emergency: he claimed he was "in space right now," under attack, and needed cash to buy oxygen and return to Earth so they could get married.
The man introduced himself as a Russian cosmonaut named Ilie. He promised to repay everything after landing. After the final transfer, he went silent. Investigators are treating the case as a classic romance scam, where fraudsters build a relationship, create a crisis, and pressure a victim to send money.
The victim lives alone, according to police, which is common in these cases. Scammers look for people who will talk, listen, and trust. They avoid video calls, move conversations to private messaging apps, and ramp up the drama. Here, the story hinged on space—a setting that sounds thrilling but makes it hard to verify anything.
Could an astronaut actually call a stranger for emergency oxygen money? No. Real astronauts don’t pay out of pocket for life support or reentry. Space missions are run by agencies like Roscosmos, NASA, and partners that manage oxygen, fuel, and communication. Oxygen on crewed spacecraft and the International Space Station comes from onboard systems and scheduled resupply, not personal purchases. Crew members also follow strict communication rules and aren’t allowed to solicit money from the public.
Police in Hokkaido are warning residents to be skeptical of anyone met online who asks for money, no matter how moving the backstory. Japan’s aging population—one of the world’s oldest, behind only Monaco—means more people are living alone and using social media to connect. That makes companionship easy to find, and sadly, easy to exploit.
The pattern, the playbook, and how to push back
Romance fraud follows a familiar script. The scammer makes contact on a dating app or social platform. They shower the target with attention. They share just enough personal detail to feel believable. Then comes the problem: a medical bill, a frozen bank account, a customs fee, a stranded trip—or, in this case, a space “emergency.” The request is urgent. The tone is emotional. If the victim pays, another crisis often appears.
Police worldwide have seen variations on this theme using military officers, oil workers on rigs, doctors on overseas missions, and celebrities. The job is always far away. The connection feels intense. There’s a promise to meet “soon,” blocked by one last bill. In a growing number of cases, scammers use AI-edited images or stock photos to look authentic. They may even send voice notes to deepen the bond.
Losses in these scams are significant. Consumer watchdogs in several countries, including the U.S., have reported more than a billion dollars in annual losses tied to romance fraud in recent years. Older adults are often targeted because they may have savings and are more patient in online conversations. Many victims don’t report what happened right away, because the shame cuts deep. That silence gives scammers room to keep operating.
Japan has long battled phone and online cons—known as special frauds—that pressure victims to wire money quickly. The internet has amplified that model. Messages now come from accounts that look polished, with profile photos, job titles, and even fake boarding passes or ID cards. In the Hokkaido case, the “astronaut” promise to repay after landing was a classic way to lower defenses.
Here are common red flags to watch for:
- The person avoids video calls or always has a reason their camera “doesn’t work.”
- They rush the relationship, using intense flattery or fast “I love you” messages.
- They claim to be working in a remote or high-risk job abroad—soldier, engineer, doctor, offshore worker, or astronaut.
- They ask for money for emergencies, travel, customs fees, or to unlock a bank account.
- They push for wire transfers, prepaid cards, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
- They tell you to keep the relationship a secret “until we meet.”
If you or someone you know gets caught in a similar situation, take these steps:
- Stop sending money and cut off contact on every platform.
- Talk to a trusted friend or family member. A second set of eyes helps break the spell.
- Save everything: profiles, chat logs, usernames, account numbers, receipts.
- Contact your bank at once to try to halt transfers and flag the account.
- Report it to police. In Japan, you can speak to your local station or call the nationwide #9110 consultation line for non-emergencies.
- Do a reverse image search of profile photos. Stolen pictures often appear on other profiles.
Families can reduce risk by staying close: regular check-ins, simple privacy settings on social apps, and reminders that no genuine partner will demand secrecy or rush payments. If a loved one mentions a glamorous job abroad, sudden talk of marriage, or a dramatic cash emergency, that’s a cue to ask gentle, direct questions.
Real relationships don’t ask for bank transfers to solve a crisis. Real astronauts don’t text strangers for oxygen money. And real love doesn’t disappear the moment a final payment clears.
