• Source:JND

A 43-year-old Las Vegas woman, Aurora Phelps, has been arrested in Mexico for allegedly luring older men through dating websites, drugging them, and attempting to steal millions in a deadly scheme, authorities announced on Friday. According to the FBI, her fraudulent activities led to at least three deaths.

Phelps has been charged with one count of kidnapping resulting in death, along with multiple counts of wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, identity theft, and kidnapping. The unsealed 21-count indictment details how she manipulated her victims, robbing them of their finances while leaving some dead in her wake.

One of the most shocking cases involves a victim she met online in Las Vegas. After drugging him, she transported him to Mexico City, where she used his credit card to rent a hotel room. He was later found dead. This method was reportedly repeated multiple times over the span of her alleged criminal activities.

Romance Scam on Steroids

Authorities have been investigating Phelps since July 2021. During a press conference on February 21, Spencer Evans, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Las Vegas Division, described the case as "a romance scam on steroids."

Investigators say Phelps used multiple aliases and operated between Las Vegas and Guadalajara, Mexico. She targeted older men through popular dating apps like Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble, portraying herself as a genuine romantic interest. Once she gained their trust, she would drug them and steal from their financial accounts, including social security and retirement funds.

Aurora Phelps' scheme also resulted in the deaths of three victims, officials said. One man, a wheelchair user, was sedated and taken to Mexico, where he was later found dead in a hotel. Another victim was discovered dead in his Guadalajara home after his daughter lost contact with him. A fourth victim fell into a coma but later recovered.

A Broader Criminal Operation

Authorities believe Phelps' crimes extended beyond elderly men. According to the FBI, she also tricked younger men and even women. In some cases, victims were left in a state of unconsciousness for extended periods, unable to recall what had happened.

One of the most disturbing details in the investigation involved a victim who was drugged with sedatives for nearly a week. He eventually fell into a coma but miraculously survived.

FBI officials said that Phelps did not just steal money—she also took luxury goods, gold, and vehicles. Her crimes extended to impersonating her victims to access their investment accounts, leaving many financially devastated.

Capture and Ongoing Investigation

Authorities tracked Phelps to Mexico, where she had been evading law enforcement. She had used a fake identity on dating profiles, going by the name "Sisy," with a bio stating, "I am looking for friends. No fake people, no gente falsa." After crossing the border, she was arrested by Mexican police and is currently awaiting extradition to the United States.

While some victims have been identified, investigators believe there could be many more who fell prey to Phelps’ deception. The FBI has urged potential victims to come forward, stating, "If you or someone you know believes they were harmed by Aurora Phelps or has information about this case, please fill out this short form."


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