[Hypiereon]

You really have to do a cost / benefit analysis to even begin to think about one of these typs of jobs. Your cost in literal terms is almost nothing, but the potential cost could be everything - it's all on the line, but you don't HAVE to lose it all or even any of it. What can be gained really depends on your social and financial situation.

A single person with a lot of debt out of college, no strong family ties, and wanting to start a new life or new business might find the risk worth it. Without getting out of debt and getting a leg up on a business opportunity, they may feel they have nothing to lose.

Still, your life is on the line, and even if your situation is bad, you are hoping to make the money so you can use it somewhere. Even keeping a low profile might not be good enough for a year or two in-country. That's why my vote is "in the green zone" the body guard I might be able to without, but would certainly welcome.

Is the very tangible benefit worth the potential risk?

To each his own.