Woman Faces Extradition to U.S. for Alleged Dating App Scheme

A 44-year-old dual U.S.-Mexican citizen, Aurora Phelps, will be extradited from Mexico to the United States to face federal charges. The FBI confirmed this information to Newsweek, highlighting a case that has caught attention on both sides of the border due to its severity.

Alleged Scheme Details

Phelps, who is currently on trial in Mexico for murder, is charged by U.S. prosecutors with orchestrating a scheme that allegedly led to multiple deaths and significant financial losses for other victims. Authorities believe she used dating apps to choose older men as targets, surprising victims with drugs before stealing money and identities. The scale and method of this alleged fraud have raised alarms, and investigators suspect additional victims may remain unidentified.

“Ms. Phelps will be extradited to the U.S., but no date has been set yet,” stated Sandy Breault, a spokesperson for the FBI’s Las Vegas field office.

Last year, federal prosecutors in Las Vegas indicted Phelps on 21 counts, including wire fraud, identity theft, and kidnapping. Notably, one kidnapping charge involves a victim’s death. Conviction on all counts could result in a life sentence.

Murder Case in Mexico

The murder trial in Mexico revolves around Robert Erbach’s death, an American retiree living near Guadalajara. Authorities report that Phelps connected with Erbach on Tinder in 2021 during his divorce. Friends mentioned that they dated for several months before attending a concert together in December 2021. Unfortunately, this was the last time he was seen alive.

Two days later, Erbach’s body was located along a roadside, identified posthumously after some difficulties, and authorities determined he died from asphyxiation. According to court records, Phelps then drove Erbach’s BMW to Las Vegas and opened a Wells Fargo account using his identification. Surveillance footage allegedly captured her withdrawing funds using Erbach’s debit card. Authorities estimate over $50,000 was removed from his accounts.

Following Erbach’s disappearance, his son received suspicious texts from his phone, written in broken English, claiming relocation to Ecuador and instructing the cessation of search efforts. Additionally, Phelps reportedly attempted to redirect Erbach’s pension payments but failed without a verified signature.

Federal Indictment Accusations

U.S. prosecutors assert Erbach wasn’t Phelps’ sole victim. The indictment reveals she met another man in Las Vegas in 2021, gradually earning his trust through lunches. Investigators allege she later drugged him using prescription medication, leaving him semi-conscious for about five days. During this time, she purportedly stole numerous personal items, including phone, tablets, and identification documents.

Prosecutors say she attempted to access the victim’s E-Trade account, aiming to liquidate approximately $3.3 million worth of Apple stock but failed to withdraw funds. In another instance, a man who met Phelps through a dating app in November 2022 was allegedly drugged, transported across the U.S.-Mexico border, and found deceased in a Mexico City hotel room.

The indictment also connects Phelps to another fatality in Guadalajara from May 2022. The victim’s daughter alerted police after communication attempts failed, leading to the discovery of his body. Authorities allege Phelps used the deceased’s accounts to acquire a gold coin sent to her address.

Investigation Continues

Federal investigators warn the known cases may not fully represent the alleged scheme’s extent. In February 2025, the FBI released a public alert and held a news conference to seek additional victims. As of now, at least 11 individuals have been identified as potential targets by Phelps.

Prosecutors report Phelps obtained financial information from victims between 2019 and 2022 using dating platforms and personal relationships. Reports indicate she often drugged victims to gain account access and financial insights. While older men reportedly served as her main targets, authorities emphasize that women and younger people may have also been affected.

The FBI released a bulletin with Phelps’ photographs and several aliases she used, such as Aurora Flores, Aurora Velasco, and Aurora Alvarez.