In Nevada, there is a troubling allegation about Aurora Phelps, a 43-year-old woman who is alleged to have targeted older males on dating apps like Tinder. She is accused of drugging them, stealing their money, and seducing them into a romantic relationship. An indictment against Phelps on several charges of fraud, identity theft, and kidnapping was made public by the FBI.
The Scam Unveiled
According to federal court documents, Phelps, who also went by the aliases Aurora Flores, Aurora Velasco, and Aurora Alvarez, reportedly befriended older men online and in person. She allegedly convinced them to travel with her to Mexico, where she would drug them and access their bank, social security, and retirement accounts.
The indictment links Phelps to at least two deaths and one disappearance. Authorities claim she had a clear pattern—gain trust, incapacitate the victims, and then drain their finances. The FBI is now urging other potential victims to come forward.
How She Operated?
In one case from 2021, Phelps met an elderly man through an online dating platform. Over two months, she built a relationship with him and eventually convinced him to travel with her to Mexico. During a visit to his home, she allegedly laced his food with prescription drugs, leaving him unconscious for several days. During this time, she stole his phone, ID, and bank cards, attempting to sell $3.3 million worth of his Apple stock. However, she was unable to withdraw the funds before he regained consciousness.
In another instance from 2022, she met an elderly man at a Las Vegas restaurant and allegedly drugged him, making him disoriented. Phelps then used his financial details to transfer money and make purchases. She allegedly convinced him to fly with her to Mexico City, where he was later found dead in a hotel room. Court records state that Phelps used his credit cards, transferred $7,000 to buy a motorcycle, and even attempted to access his Social Security benefits.
Another victim, last seen with Phelps at a Hard Rock Hotel in Guadalajara, Mexico, vanished without a trace. Investigators later discovered that she had been withdrawing money from his account for months and had even taken possession of his BMW.
The FBI’s Investigation
The FBI has labelled this case a “romance scam on steroids.” The investigators posted photos of Phelps, including a Tinder profile in which she said she was “looking for friends, no fake people.” Authorities are now seeking additional people who might have been victims of her sophisticated scheme.
Phelps was arrested in Mexico in September 2023 and is awaiting extradition to the U.S. If convicted on all counts, she faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
A Growing Threat
Online romance scams have been trending, with the criminals using online dating websites to scam victims. The case aptly illustrates the risks of trusting strangers on the internet, particularly when there is financial exchange and travel involved.
The FBI has asked that anyone who feels they may have been targeted by Phelps come forward through their official victim services website. Law enforcement officials emphasize caution when pursuing online relationships, especially for the elderly who are susceptible to being exploited.
For more updates on this case, visit CBS News.
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