AI-Generated Deepfake Elon Musk Romance Scam Defrauds Japanese Woman
A 31-year-old man in Okayama Prefecture was arrested for running a romance scam targeting a 65-year-old woman in Kumamoto by impersonating Elon Musk using AI-generated images and video calls. The woman lost approximately 360,000 New Taiwan dollars across six money transfers despite reporting the fraud to police in September.
What happened
A 31-year-old company employee named Ono Ryouya, living in Okayama Prefecture, was arrested on suspicion of fraud for impersonating Elon Musk on X (formerly Twitter). He contacted a 65-year-old woman in Kamiamakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture, with romantic messages including 'I love you, do as I say' and requests to send 500,000 yen initially.
The suspect used AI-generated images and fake video calls to convince the woman he was Musk, claiming their relationship had been reported in foreign media. He induced her to send money in two separate instances totaling 700,000 yen in September and December 2025.
Reported impact
The woman lost a total of 1.85 million yen (approximately 360,000 New Taiwan dollars) across six separate money transfers by December 2025. She reported the fraud to police in September after becoming suspicious that she could not meet 'Musk,' but continued contact with the scammer and sent money again in December.
Index analysis
Police identified the suspect as likely a lower-level operative in a romance scam operation, responsible for withdrawing cash and converting it into cryptocurrency rather than the primary organizer. The crime is suspected to involve an anonymous mobile criminal organization (Tokuryu).
Governance controls
Japanese police warned the public that celebrities initiating romantic contact via social media and requesting money transfers, membership fees, or meeting expenses are almost certainly scams. They advised vigilance when approached by accounts claiming to be famous people and requesting to move conversations to other messaging platforms.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.