LAS VEGAS, NV — Aurora Phelps, 43, is facing a slew of charges after allegedly using dating apps such as Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble to target older men in a sinister romance scam. The scheme, which spanned from 2021 to 2022, saw Phelps luring men into in-person meetings, drugging them with sedatives, and then stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars, FBI officials reported on Friday.
Phelps, who is currently in custody in Mexico, faces 21 charges, including wire fraud, identity theft, and one count of kidnapping resulting in death. According to the FBI, Phelps’s actions were part of an elaborate plan to defraud her victims of their wealth, and in three instances, it led to their deaths.
A Deadly Scam Unfolds
Phelps’s targets were lonely older men looking for companionship. After gaining their trust through multiple dates, she allegedly drugged them with prescription sedatives. In one chilling case, Phelps allegedly kidnapped one victim after heavily sedating him, transporting him across the U.S.-Mexico border in a wheelchair, and leaving him to die in a Mexico City hotel room.
As her victims were incapacitated, Phelps stole their cars, withdrew large sums of money, and used their credit cards to purchase luxury items and gold. She even accessed their social security and retirement accounts, authorities said.
High-Profile Victims
The victims were primarily men seeking companionship on dating apps. One victim met Phelps in July 2021, but after a meal together, he fell unconscious for several days after ingesting a sedative. During this time, Phelps stole his bank cards, iPhone, and other personal belongings. She also accessed his E-Trade account and attempted to sell over $3 million worth of Apple stock, although she was unsuccessful in withdrawing the funds.
The Extent of the Scam
The FBI believes there are more victims in both the U.S. and Mexico, with Phelps using her dual citizenship to evade capture. Authorities have set up a website for potential victims to report any interactions they may have had with Phelps.
Phelps’s scheme was discovered after relatives of the victims became alarmed when they could no longer reach them. One daughter contacted authorities when she was unable to get in touch with her father after his date with Phelps in Guadalajara, Mexico. The following day, Mexican authorities found him dead in his home, and investigators later linked Phelps to the crime.
Ongoing Investigation and Extradition Process
Phelps is facing extradition to the U.S., and if convicted of all charges, she could face life in prison. The FBI is working with the Department of Justice and Mexican authorities to secure her return to the United States to stand trial.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada is also warning about the dangers of romance scams, highlighting that these fraudulent schemes not only result in significant financial losses for victims but can also have devastating consequences for their lives.
