LAS VEGAS, NV – In a case that has left federal officials astounded, a woman with ties to Las Vegas faces charges in what authorities are calling one of the most egregious romance scams they’ve encountered. The woman, Aurora Phelps, 43, is accused of not only defrauding her victims financially but also causing the deaths of several individuals who fell prey to her scheme.
The FBI alleges that Phelps targeted older men, predominantly in their 60s and 70s, through online dating platforms. Once she gained their trust, she allegedly drugged them to incapacitate and rob them of their wealth. The charges unveiled last Friday underscore the severity and breadth of her actions, spanning multiple victims and involving substantial financial theft.
According to investigators, Phelps employed a methodical approach to access her victims’ assets. She allegedly stole cars, withdrew large sums from bank and brokerage accounts, and used credit cards to purchase luxury items, including gold. In one brazen attempt, she reportedly tried to liquidate a $3 million stock portfolio.
Romance scams typically involve emotional manipulation for financial gain, but officials describe Phelps’ actions as an extreme version of such schemes. The FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office have refrained from disclosing how long Phelps resided in Las Vegas, but they confirmed that at least four victims were from the area. Among them was a man who died in a Mexican hotel, a death investigators suspect was linked to Phelps’ actions.
Authorities believe there could be more victims and are urging anyone with information to come forward. They suspect Phelps may have interacted with other individuals who could provide critical evidence or who may have also fallen victim to her actions.
Currently, Phelps is in Mexico, where authorities are navigating the lengthy extradition process to bring her to the United States for trial. It remains uncertain when she will appear in federal court in Las Vegas, but the investigation is ongoing as officials seek justice for those affected by her alleged crimes.