A Las Vegas, Nevada, woman has been charged in a 21-count superseding indictment for allegedly luring older men she met through online dating services and stealing their money for her personal benefit.

43-year-old Aurora Phelps, with homes in Las Vegas and Guadalajara, Mexico, is charged with seven counts of wire fraud; three counts of mail fraud; six counts of bank fraud; three counts of identity theft; one count of kidnapping; and one count of kidnapping resulting in death.

Phelps is currently in custody in Mexico.

Phelps allegedly met older men on dating websites or services between July 1, 2021, and December 9, 2022, before seeing them in person, according to the superseding indictment.

She used drugs as part of her plan to get illegal access to the older men's bank accounts and take money from them so that she and her family could profit.

The FBI Las Vegas Division conducted an investigation that resulted in the superseding indictment after two years.

A federal grand jury handed the superseding indictment in September 2023.

The United States Department of Justice says in romance scams, the con artist gains the trust and affection of the victim, then relies on the feeling of a romantic or intimate connection to manipulate and/or defraud them.

These scams have a severe impact on victims' lives in addition to causing large financial losses.

Phelps faces the maximum statutory punishment of life in prison if found guilty on all counts.

Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada and FBI Las Vegas Division Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans made the announcement of the charges.

According to the Justice Department, the U.S. and Mexican authorities worked closely together to conduct the investigation.

In this instance, the Office of International Affairs of the Justice Department is offering substantial support. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Steven J. Rose and Daniel R. Schiess.

The FBI created a webpage in an effort to find other possible victims, asking for anyone with information about the case or who thinks they or someone they know may have been a victim of Phelps is urged to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or fill out a survey at FBI.gov/AuroraPhelpsVictims.

They also have experienced professionals  available at the National Elder Fraud Hotline 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311) if you or someone you know is 60 years of age or older and has been the victim of financial fraud.

The Office for Victims of Crime runs this Justice Department hotline, which can offer callers individualized support by determining the victim's requirements and pertinent next steps.

On a case-by-case basis, case managers will find suitable reporting agencies, give callers information to help them report, put them in touch with the right agencies directly, and offer resources and recommendations.

The Justice Department says the first step is reporting the crime as it can assist law enforcement in identifying fraudsters, and promptly disclosing specific financial losses resulting from fraud can help improve the chances of recouping damages.

The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish and other languages are available.