Federal authorities have charged Aurora Phelps, 43, with orchestrating a shocking online dating scam that targeted vulnerable seniors through apps like Tinder and Bumble, resulting in three deaths and massive financial losses. The dual U.S.-Mexico citizen allegedly sedated victims with prescription drugs before stealing cars, draining accounts, and attempting to liquidate retirement funds.
This is a romance scam on steroids,said FBI Special Agent Spencer Evans during a Las Vegas press conference. These men sought companionship but encountered pure evil.
Court documents reveal Phelps’ chilling pattern:
- Lured four men aged 60+ through dating platforms in 2021-2022
- Gained trust through multiple dates before administering sedatives
- Stole $3.3 million in Apple stock from one unconscious victim
In the most brazen case, Phelps allegedly smuggled a heavily drugged victim across the Mexico border in a wheelchair. The man was later found dead in a Mexico City hotel bathroom. She didn’t just take their money – she took their lives, Evans stated, describing how relatives’ wellness checks led investigators to the crimes.
The 21-count indictment includes charges of:
- Wire fraud
- Bank fraud
- Kidnapping resulting in death
- Identity theft
Authorities confirm Phelps remains jailed in Mexico pending extradition. If convicted on all charges, she faces life imprisonment. The FBI urges potential victims to come forward, emphasizing financial fraud patterns involving sudden gold purchases and unexplained stock trades.
