LAS VEGAS — A woman allegedly exploited online dating applications to target at least four elderly men, eventually drugging them with sedatives before stealing significant amounts of money. Authorities in Las Vegas branded this case a “sinister” romance scheme, with claims that three of the victims died as a result of her actions. Aurora Phelps, 43, currently detained in Mexico, faces serious charges, including 21 counts spanning wire fraud, identity theft, and one count of kidnapping leading to death, according to the acting U.S. attorney for the District of Nevada.
“This represents a romance scam taken to extremes,” commented Spencer Evans, the special agent leading the FBI’s Las Vegas branch. The victims, targeted between 2021 and 2022, were reportedly lured into vulnerable situations. One survivor awoke from a coma after Phelps had allegedly administered prescription sedatives over an extended period.
In a particularly disturbing incident, Phelps is claimed to have incapacitated a victim, then transported him across the U.S.-Mexico border in a wheelchair to a Mexico City hotel, where he was later discovered deceased. After rendering her victims helpless, Phelps proceeded to steal their vehicles, withdraw cash from their bank accounts, and make purchases using their credit cards, which included luxury goods and gold. She even attempted to access their social security and retirement funds.
The details outlined in the indictment clarify that Phelps first met one of her victims in July 2021, building a rapport through lunch dates. By November, she allegedly visited his home, where she slipped him a sedative during a meal. While he lay “mostly unconscious” for five days, Phelps accessed his personal accounts and made off with his electronic devices, identification, and bank cards. Shockingly, she also reportedly accessed his E-Trade account and attempted to sell Apple stock valued at approximately $3.3 million, although she could not cash out the funds.
Phelps is suspected of utilizing dating platforms such as Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble to discover her targets, who were often lonely and seeking companionship. These men engaged in multiple dates with her, making it easier for Phelps to surreptitiously drug them, Evans explained.
Evans mentioned that Phelps has been on the FBI’s radar for a couple of years, although he refrained from disclosing details about her past criminal history. Currently, Phelps lacks legal representation in the U.S. who could provide a statement regarding the allegations against her. Efforts to secure comments from Mexican authorities have not resulted in any responses thus far.
Relatives of several victims sought assistance from authorities when they could not locate their loved ones. One concerned daughter reported her father missing the day following his date with Phelps in Guadalajara, Mexico, in May 2022. Tragically, he was later found deceased in his bathroom. Following this incident, the indictment claims Phelps attempted to make purchases with the victim’s account, including obtaining a gold coin.
The FBI has indications of additional alleged victims across both the U.S. and Mexico. They are publicly sharing details about the case, including possible aliases used by Phelps, in hopes of identifying others who may have fallen prey to her deceptive practices and potentially paid the ultimate price. Collaboration with the Department of Justice and Mexican law enforcement is underway to facilitate her extradition.
Should she be convicted on all counts—including multiple charges of wire fraud, mail fraud, and identity theft—Phelps could face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
