Feds Say Vegas Woman on Trial for Murder Used Dating Apps to Target Older Men

Federal prosecutors say a Las Vegas woman accused of murder in Mexico is expected to be extradited to the United States to face a wide range of additional charges tied to allegations that she targeted older men through dating apps, drugged them, and stole their financial information.

The FBI has identified the woman as Aurora Phelps, a dual U.S.-Mexico citizen who authorities believe carried out a years-long scheme involving fraud, identity theft and, in at least one case, homicide.

Allegations

In a February 2025 bulletin, the FBI said Phelps allegedly used dating apps and personal relationships to gain access to victims’ personal and financial information between 2019 and 2022.

“It is believed Mrs. Phelps would sometimes drug her victims without their knowledge to obtain this information,” the bulletin stated.

Investigators say she primarily targeted elderly men, but also victimized people of other ages and women. Authorities allege she accessed victims’ bank accounts, Social Security benefits and retirement funds after obtaining their personal details.

Phelps, now 44, has also used the names Aurora Velasco, Aurora Flores and Aurora Alvarez, according to federal records.

Victim

One of the alleged victims was 67-year-old Robert Erbach, a retired U.S. citizen who owned a home near Guadalajara, Mexico.

According to investigators, Erbach met Phelps on Tinder in 2021 and dated her for about three months. In December of that year, he invited her to the Hard Rock Hotel in Guadalajara to watch a friend’s band perform. Authorities say that was the last time he was seen alive.

Two days later, Erbach was found dead along a roadside near Guadalajara. He died from asphyxiation, according to reporting by the Los Angeles Times. Because he had no identification, investigators initially had no leads.

Prosecutors allege Phelps later drove Erbach’s BMW SUV to Las Vegas and began withdrawing money from his Wells Fargo account.

Investigation

In January 2022, Erbach’s son began receiving text messages from his father’s phone written in poor English. The sender claimed Erbach had moved to Ecuador and asked family members and police to stop looking for him.

Authorities say attempts were also made to redirect Erbach’s pension payments. His union refused to change the direct deposit account without a verified signature, despite receiving multiple emails insisting the change be processed.

Investigators said more than $50,000 was withdrawn from two of Erbach’s accounts.

Federal authorities believe Erbach is one of at least 11 people targeted by Phelps.

Arrest

Phelps was arrested by Mexican authorities in February 2023 at a bank in Guadalajara and charged with murder. She has remained in custody since her arrest.

Two years later, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Las Vegas filed a 21-count federal indictment against her. The charges include fraud, identity theft and two counts of kidnapping, one of which resulted in death.

Mexican officials have approved Phelps’ extradition to the United States, though it is unclear when her murder trial in Mexico will conclude or when the extradition will take place.

Background

Phelps was born in Arkansas and moved between the United States and Mexico with her parents, according to authorities. At the time of the alleged crimes, she was married to Las Vegas resident William Phelps.

In a 2024 interview with the Los Angeles Times, William Phelps said he had no indication of the alleged criminal activity.

“We’ve known each other for 14 years and she’s never shown a sign or an ounce of this,” he said. “If she did do it, damn, she put one over on me.”

Next Steps

Federal officials are asking anyone who believes they may have been victimized by Phelps to contact the FBI’s Las Vegas office.

The case remains active in both Mexico and the United States, with prosecutors awaiting the conclusion of proceedings south of the border before moving forward with the federal charges.

FAQs