Donna believed she was meeting her future husband in Japan. Then she was stopped at the airport.

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, 2024, sentencing Donna to six years in prison, with the 430 days she 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 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.

A family fight.

Donna's daughters are determined to bring their mother home. Some of the sisters have moved back in together and taken on extra work to help pay their mum's mortgage and get her home.

"We're going to do whatever we can. We'll move mountains … don't give up," Kristal told ABC's Australian Story: Duped.

Donna's life is limited to the walls of her cell. She has to eat in her cell. She can't sing. She can't talk to other detainees.

Each day, she gets only 30 minutes of fresh air.

Meanwhile, Kelly roams free. Nobody knows where he is, and nobody seems to be looking for him.

Luke McMahon, a lawyer with experience in international cybercrime who is giving free advice to the Nelson clan, told Australian Story Kelly would be targeting other vulnerable victims undoubtedly as part of a major crime syndicate.

Japanese authorities told Donna's daughters it was outside their jurisdiction. Australian police also aren't investigating.

With authorities not lending a hand, Donna's daughters have been doing their own sleuthing to track Kelly down themselves.

They're also looking into the steps required for an international prisoner transfer. Meanwhile, Donna has lodged an appeal.

"Nobody actually looked for this person who clearly had been asking her to bring the suitcase and planned her trip. Why?," Kristal told Australian Story.

"No-one thought to try to find out who he was and catch him out. That's the real criminal."

The sisters said their mother was not stupid. Kelly had reeled her in over two years. They talked every day — in the morning, during the day, even before bed.

Throughout that time, he never asked for money or spoke about drugs.

Her daughters told Australian Story Kelly planted the seed of selling suitcases in his fashion business before the trip was proposed. When Donna stopped over in Laos, he called to say he'd found the perfect one and had his associate come meet her just as she was about to head to the airport.

As you'd expect, Donna looked through the suitcase and only found clothes inside — her daughters believed this was to distract her from the drugs hiding beneath a false bottom.

Kelly claimed he wanted to make Donna happy and promised they'd marry in a big ceremony with her daughters.

Donna is someone who chooses to see the good in people. Her daughters say it shouldn't cost her her life.

"I think it speaks to the fact that anybody could become a victim if they want love so much and that's what they're focused on," Kristal said.

If none of her legal options are successful, Donna will be released in late 2029.

This article was first published in December 2024 and has since been updated.

Feature Image: Nine News.