An Aussie grandmother thought she was flying to meet her dream man. Then she got stopped at customs.

When Donna Nelson, 58, met a man named Kelly online, the Indigenous community leader thought she had found 'the one'.

Over two years, Donna and Kelly built their relationship. Kelly spoke of his fashion business and his dreams of building a life with Donna, and he eventually invited the Perth-based grandmother to visit him in Japan,

Donna packed her bags and set off for her trip.

But the journey began to unravel when the mother-of-five made a stopover in Laos.

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Donna became ill during the layover and was forced to pay for a hotel room herself, despite Kelly's earlier assurances he would cover any costs.

Frustrated and heartbroken, she considered abandoning the trip altogether.

"I've cried too much and spent my last money to get this room for tonight. If this is how a wife is treated, I don't want to be married," she reportedly said, as per the ABC.

Kelly, however, convinced her to follow through with the trip, telling her that while she was in Laos, an associate would give her a suitcase containing sample items for his fashion business, and asked her to bring it with her to Tokyo.

When she showed up at the airport for the next leg of her journey, Donna had no idea she was about to be stopped by a customs officer.

Opening the suitcase, officials found two kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in a false bottom of the case — and Donna was immediately arrested.

The 58-year-old argued that she had no knowledge of the drugs.

"If I had known or even suspected illegal drugs were in the suitcase, I would have never agreed to carry it," she said during her trial.

But it was never going to be an easy battle for Donna — Japan's justice system boasts a staggering 99 per cent conviction rate.

While her defence team argued that Donna was a victim of a love scam, manipulated by a man who preyed on her trust and vulnerability, the prosecutors painted a different picture.

They argued that Donna had ignored warning signs, such as the "strangeness" of Kelly's request and the inconsistencies in her travel plans. They sought a 10-year sentence, citing her decision not to declare the suitcase as hers and her claim that she was travelling for business as reasons to label her "untrustworthy".

The court delivered its verdict on December 4, sentencing Donna to six years in prison, with the 430 days she has already spent in detention deducted from her sentence. She will also need to pay a $10,000 fine.

During the trial, judges did acknowledge that Donna had been "deceived" by Kelly.

"The defendant committed the crime because she was deceived by Kelly and she had hopes of marriage," Judge Masakazu Kamakura stated. "The court should be clear to show the crime was not financially worthwhile."

Defence lawyer Rie Nishida said the decision was "unreasonable".

"We need to talk with Donna, but we will fight until the end, until she gets freedom," the lawyer said.

Donna's five daughters, who flew to Japan to support her during the trial, were devastated but resolute.

"We cannot say any more about this case at this time as we consider preparing for an appeal, but we are devastated by this verdict and will not stop fighting for our mum," they said in a statement.

"Family is everything to Mum, and she has been apart from us for too long," said her daughter daughter Kristal Hilaire.

"As she was leaving, the one thing she cryingly said to me was, 'But my grandchildren.' I know it's really hard for her thinking of her grandchildren growing up."

For the family, the fight is about more than clearing Donna's name — it is about justice for a woman they believe was manipulated and betrayed.

"She is the victim of a crime and not a criminal," Hilaire said outside court, as per Nine. "She has always been against drugs."

Meanwhile, Australia's ambassador to Japan, Justin Hayhurst, emphasised the government's commitment to providing consular support for Donna.

"The Australian government has been here throughout this trial to provide consular support to Ms Nelson and her family, and we will continue to provide that support," he said.

"Today is obviously a very difficult day for the family, and our sympathy is with them."

Feature Image: Nine News.