{"id":26530,"date":"2023-05-01T17:29:50","date_gmt":"2023-05-02T01:29:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.spokeo.com\/compass\/?p=26530"},"modified":"2023-05-08T17:32:13","modified_gmt":"2023-05-09T01:32:13","slug":"oil-rig-scammer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.spokeo.com\/compass\/oil-rig-scammer\/","title":{"rendered":"Rigged Game: Watch Out for the Oil Rig Romance Scam"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

One of the more creative scams to pop up in inboxes within the past few years centers around oil rig workers.  That\u2019s not a profession most of us typically know much about, beyond the fact that it\u2019s dangerous \u2014 oil rig workers are seven times more likely to be killed<\/a> on the job than other professionals \u2014 and hard work.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But you don\u2019t need to study up on the oil rig industry to protect yourself.  The workers in these scams are fictitious, and the biggest risk they face is being caught by law enforcement.  Here\u2019s what to look for.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is an Oil Rig Scam?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The oil rig fraud is a sophisticated and imaginative spin on the classic romance scam<\/a>.  It starts with an unsolicited friend request or DM from a supposedly lonely oil rig worker in search of the companionship or love that their surroundings deny them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Things may be intense at first, although the oil rig worker never seems to be able to commit to a phone or video call due to their isolated location or work schedule.  Nevertheless, once trust is established, a sudden \u201cemergency\u201d will occur and the victim is asked to send funds immediately to cover medical treatment, travel or the price of a ticket to meet in person.  Sometimes, imaginary family members or colleagues of the fictitious oil rig worker will get in touch to apply pressure or campaign on their behalf. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s the Catch?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There is no oil rig; there is no strong but sensitive roughneck; and there is most certainly no emergency.  Instead, there may be a whole team of fraudsters<\/a> working the scam, posing as individual characters in the narrative.  Ironically, these scammers pretending to be isolated workers often target lonely victims, sourced through research on social media.  Why do they choose oil rig workers as their cover? <\/p>\n\n\n\n