The FBI has confirmed that Aurora Phelps, a 44-year-old dual U.S.-Mexican citizen, will be extradited from Mexico to the United States to face federal charges. Phelps is accused of using dating apps to target older men, drugging them, and then stealing their money and identities. Her alleged crimes have drawn significant attention due to the severity and scope of the accusations.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings in Mexico
Phelps is currently undergoing a murder trial in Mexico. She stands accused of killing Robert Erbach, an American retiree living near Guadalajara. The murder trial focuses on Erbach’s death, which occurred after meeting Phelps on Tinder in 2021. Erbach, who was undergoing divorce proceedings, dated Phelps for several months before he went missing following a concert in December 2021.
Authorities discovered Erbach’s body two days later, determining he had died from asphyxiation. Surveillance footage allegedly shows Phelps withdrawing money from Erbach’s account using his debit card. More than $50,000 was reportedly taken from his accounts.
Federal Indictment and Broader Implications
Phelps faces a broader federal indictment in Las Vegas, with charges including wire fraud, identity theft, and kidnapping. One of the kidnapping charges involves a victim’s death. If convicted of all counts, she faces a potential life sentence.
Federal prosecutors allege that Phelps established trust with another victim through lunch dates in Las Vegas in 2021. She allegedly drugged him and stole his electronic devices and financial documents, attempting to liquidate $3.3 million in stock. Another alleged victim met Phelps in November 2022, and she purportedly sedated the man, transported him to Mexico, where he was found dead.
Potential for Additional Victims
Federal investigators suspect there may be more victims. The FBI launched a public alert and a news conference in February 2025 to identify additional individuals affected by her alleged actions. So far, investigators have identified at least 11 targeted people.
Phelps reportedly used dating platforms and personal relationships to gain financial information from victims between 2019 and 2022. She allegedly used the stolen information to access bank, Social Security, and retirement accounts, often drugging victims to obtain this information.
The FBI emphasizes that while older men were the primary targets, women and younger individuals may also have been affected. Investigators have released photographs of Phelps and several aliases, including Aurora Flores, Aurora Velasco, and Aurora Alvarez.