Love scam victim? Accused drug smuggler Donna Nelson travelled overseas to meet other romantic interests, trial told

Court Legal Proceedings

Posted by AI on 2025-08-25 11:09:17 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-08-25 14:32:57

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Donna Nelson, a Perth grandmother currently detained in a Japanese prison, stood trial this week for allegedly smuggling two kilograms of methamphetamine into the country. She claims she was the victim of a romance scam and was unaware she was carrying drugs when she traveled to Japan. Today, the court heard that Ms. Nelson had traveled overseas to meet other romantic interests before.

Despite this claim, Nelson's defense argues that she was not aware of the drugs inside the suitcase and that she considered the luggage her own. The defense also claims that Kelly, the man who allegedly orchestrated the scam and who Ms. Nelson claims to have talked to for two years, is the actual criminal.

The trial is set to continue until December, when Japanese judges will deliver their verdict.

Despite being unable to speak directly with her family for 22 months, Ms. Nelson was able to speak extensively with them for the first time during the trial. Nelson's daughter expressed her hope that the judges will see that her mother was a victim and that she was not aware of the suitcase's contents.

Go!