Aurora Phelps, a 43-year-old dual citizen of Mexico and the United States, has been accused of carrying out a disturbing and deadly romance scam that targeted elderly men. Using online dating apps, she allegedly lured at least four victims, drugged them with sedatives, and subsequently stole their wealth.
Three of these men tragically lost their lives, and Phelps now faces multiple charges, including one count of kidnapping resulting in death. The FBI in Las Vegas has described this case as a “romance scam on steroids,” a horrifying abuse of trust that has left authorities scrambling to identify other potential victims.
A Romance Scam Turned Deadly
Aurora Phelps’ scheme operated under the guise of companionship. According to authorities, she used popular dating apps such as Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble to find her targets—lonely older men searching for love.
Her victims were carefully chosen, as they were often financially stable and emotionally vulnerable. She took the time to build trust, meeting them for dates and slowly integrating herself into their lives before making her move.
One of her alleged victims, who managed to survive the ordeal, was drugged over the course of a week and ended up in a coma. Three others were not as fortunate.
The most chilling aspect of her crimes is the way she executed them—by using sedatives to render her victims unconscious before looting their bank accounts, stealing their luxury items, and attempting to access their retirement and social security benefits.
Read : 29-Year-Old UK Woman Dies After Chiropractor Cracked Her Neck During Adjustment
In one harrowing case, Aurora Phelps allegedly kidnapped a heavily sedated victim and transported him across the U.S.-Mexico border in a wheelchair. He was taken to a Mexico City hotel room, where he was later found dead.
Read : Top Ten Most Romantic Honeymoon Destinations Around the World
Investigators believe she employed a similar method for other victims, incapacitating them before carrying out financial fraud. Her actions were coldly calculated, and authorities say she even attempted to liquidate stocks worth millions, though she was unable to access the money in at least one instance.
The FBI’s Investigation and Arrest
For years, the FBI had been tracking Aurora Phelps and her movements. Despite suspicions, it wasn’t until a series of missing persons reports were filed by the victims’ families that the extent of her crimes began to unravel.
In May 2022, the daughter of one of the victims contacted authorities after failing to reach her father following a date with Aurora Phelps in Guadalajara, Mexico. The next day, Mexican authorities found his lifeless body on his bathroom floor. Following his death, Phelps used his financial accounts to purchase a gold coin and conduct other transactions.
Investigators soon connected this case to others with a similar pattern, linking them to Phelps. Her fraudulent activity included withdrawing money from victims’ bank accounts, maxing out their credit cards on luxury goods, and even attempting to take control of their retirement savings. The FBI believes there may be additional victims in both the U.S. and Mexico and is actively working to identify them.
On Friday, authorities announced that Aurora Phelps had been arrested and is currently in custody in Mexico, pending extradition. FBI Special Agent Spencer Evans stated that Phelps had been on their radar for a few years, but due to the complexity of the case and her ability to evade capture, the investigation took time. Now, with her in custody, law enforcement officials hope to bring justice to the families affected by her crimes.
The Legal Consequences and Extradition Efforts
Aurora Phelps is facing 21 serious charges, including seven counts of wire fraud, three counts of mail fraud, six counts of bank fraud, three counts of identity theft, and one count of kidnapping resulting in death.
If convicted on all charges, she faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. Authorities have described her crimes as “sinister” and “deliberate,” emphasizing the premeditated nature of her actions.
The FBI is working closely with the U.S. Department of Justice and Mexican authorities to ensure her extradition to the United States, where she will stand trial. Given the severity of her offenses, prosecutors are likely to pursue the harshest penalties possible.
Authorities are urging potential victims or anyone with knowledge of Phelps’ activities to come forward, as there may be additional cases yet to be uncovered. The FBI has released information about her known aliases and is actively seeking out others who may have fallen victim to her elaborate scam.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking in the world of online dating, especially for vulnerable individuals seeking companionship. It also highlights the importance of vigilance when engaging with strangers online. For the families who lost their loved ones to Phelps’ scheme, justice may finally be on the horizon, but the scars left by her deception will remain long after her sentencing.
Authorities continue to stress the need for caution when interacting with people online, particularly in situations involving financial transactions or requests for money. As the legal process unfolds, the case of Aurora Phelps stands as one of the most disturbing and calculated romance scams in recent history.
let’s enjoy few years on earth with peace and happiness….✍🏼🙏