Stranded on an Oil Rig? How to Spot Romance Scams Before It’s Too Late

After spending months exploring various dating apps, you finally find someone with whom you think there’s a genuine connection. Unfortunately, they claim to be either working on a remote oil rig or serving in the military abroad on highly confidential assignments.

No matter their claimed location, this new romantic prospect always has a reason to avoid video calls or in-person meetings. However, they seem to have no hesitation when it comes to requesting money.

Romance scams are far from new. Criminals have long preyed on individuals seeking companionship, with a notable rise in such frauds among older demographics.

According to a study by Lloyds Bank, there has been a 52% increase in scams involving individuals over 55 in the last year, with the amounts of money being lost also rising.

These scams don’t just occur on dating platforms – perpetrators also target vulnerable individuals on social media and gaming forums, as per the bank’s report.

Fraudsters often concoct stories about urgent medical needs. They might say they or a family member has suffered a car accident, or they need funds to cover travel expenses to visit the injured party.

The typical financial loss for victims of romance fraud across all age groups is £5,219, but older individuals tend to lose even more. According to Lloyds, those aged between 75 and 84 lost an average of £8,068 each.

Scammers are adept at being persuasive and manipulative. In one instance, a customer tried to transfer £10,000 to someone he met online, and when the bank blocked the transaction, he was so convinced of the person’s authenticity that he offered a £20,000 bet to the bank employee. The bank, however, stood its ground, convinced the funds would end up in the hands of a scammer.

In another case, an 80-year-old woman lost £11,000 to a fraudster named “Freddie” whom she met while playing a word game on Facebook. He fabricated a story about needing to handle a tax matter following his son’s death on a German oil platform.

Similarly, an 86-year-old man named Keith lost £2,260 after meeting “Stephanie” on a dating site who convinced him to send money for travel expenses related to claiming an inheritance in Australia.

These scams are often intricate and well-planned, says Det Supt Oliver Little of the City of London police. He describes how romance fraudsters use emotional manipulation, a sense of urgency, and complex lies to exploit their victims.

Recognizing the Signs of a Scam

Fraudsters typically create false profiles on dating websites to lure in victims. They may share photos—which are usually not of themselves—and come up with various excuses to avoid video calls or real-life meetings. Their stories often contain inconsistencies and can change over time, and they are quick to declare deep feelings of affection.

Lloyds Bank points out that a vast majority of UK military personnel (96%) are stationed within the country, and it’s very rare to interact with a female oil rig worker, as they make up only 3.4% of the offshore workforce.

Scammers typically request money be sent through bank transfers or ask victims to purchase online gift cards, which can be easily resold. They often employ tactics involving urgency or guilt to persuade their targets to comply.

Steps to Take

It’s advisable to keep communications within the messaging systems of dating apps, where users are less anonymous and easier to monitor, suggests Det Supt Little. He also recommends discussing any potential financial decisions with trusted friends or family members.

“Criminals will attempt to isolate you—don’t let them. Remember, if you’ve never met them in person, you owe them nothing,” he emphasizes.

Be cautious of individuals who reach out over social media or those who continually avoid meeting in person.

Liz Ziegler, Lloyds’ director of retail fraud and financial crime, notes that scammers often slip up in their stories, making it crucial to critically assess their claims and determine their plausibility.

“Never, under any circumstances, send money to someone you’ve only met online. No legitimate relationship begins this way,” she advises.