A Las Vegas woman, Aurora Phelps, has been indicted on multiple charges related to a scheme targeting older men through online dating services. The 43-year-old, who also resides in Guadalajara, Mexico, faces seven counts of wire fraud, three counts of mail fraud, six counts of bank fraud, three counts of identity theft, and one count each of kidnapping and kidnapping resulting in death. She is currently detained in Mexico.
The indictment alleges that between July 2021 and December 2022, Phelps met older men via dating platforms and subsequently in person. She allegedly drugged these individuals to access their financial accounts unlawfully for personal gain.
The charges follow a two-year investigation by the FBI's Las Vegas Division. A federal grand jury returned the superseding indictment in September 2023.
"Romance scams" involve gaining an individual's trust under the guise of a romantic relationship to exploit them financially. These schemes can lead to significant financial losses and emotional distress for victims.
If convicted on all charges, Phelps could face life imprisonment. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI Las Vegas Division.
The case benefits from cooperation between U.S. and Mexican authorities with assistance from the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs. Assistant United States Attorneys Daniel R. Schiess and Steven J. Rose are handling prosecution duties.
An FBI website has been launched to identify potential victims connected to this case. Individuals who suspect they have been victimized or possess relevant information are encouraged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or complete an online survey related to this investigation.
For those aged 60 or older experiencing financial fraud, support is available through the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This hotline offers personalized support and guidance on reporting incidents and recovering losses where possible.
Further resources about elder justice initiatives can be found at elderjustice.gov or through various Justice Department channels focused on consumer protection and elder fraud victimization.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely an allegation; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.