Ep 14. Deadly Black Gold Riches

In season 11, episode 14 of American Greed, titled "Deadly Black Gold Riches," audiences are taken on a thrilling journey that highlights the dangerous and fraudulent world of the oil industry. The episode is based on true events that took place in North Dakota and tells the story of a young man who set out to make his fortune in the Bakken oil fields.

The episode begins by introducing viewers to Josh Gonsioroski, a 24-year-old roughneck from Wisconsin who was lured to North Dakota by the promise of high-paying oil jobs. The state was at the center of the U.S. oil boom at the time, and thousands of workers flocked there in search of fortune. Josh, like many others, worked long hours in harsh conditions, but he was driven by the prospect of making enough money to start his own business someday.

However, things took a dark turn when Josh began to uncover a dangerous underworld that existed within the oil fields. He discovered that scammers were using the chaos and confusion of the boom to defraud workers like himself out of their hard-earned money. One of the primary ways they did this was through a fraudulent investment scheme that promised to make workers rich by investing in an oil company. Josh was one of many who eagerly took the bait.

As the episode unfolds, viewers are introduced to the man behind the scam, a smooth-talking con artist named James Henrikson. Henrikson had a history of criminal behavior, and he saw the oil boom as the perfect opportunity to cash in on the chaos. He set up a fake oil company called Black Elk Energy and convinced workers like Josh that they could achieve financial freedom by investing in his company.

However, Black Elk Energy was not a real oil company, and Henrikson had no intention of making good on his promises to investors. Instead, he used their money to fund his lavish lifestyle and criminal enterprises. Eventually, the scheme began to unravel, and Henrikson became desperate to cover his tracks. What followed was a shocking and deadly series of events that would change the lives of everyone involved forever.

Throughout the episode, viewers are taken on a rollercoaster ride of emotions as they witness the greed, deception, and danger that pervaded the Bakken oil fields during the boom. The show pulls no punches in its portrayal of the ruthless criminals who preyed on vulnerable workers, and it also highlights the bravery of those who fought back against their schemes.

Overall, "Deadly Black Gold Riches" is a gripping and unflinching account of a dark chapter in American history. It sheds light on the dangers of unregulated industries and the devastating consequences that can arise when greed goes unchecked. For anyone interested in true crime, fraud, and corruption, this episode is a must-watch.