When I was in the Philippines and Thailand a couple of months ago, I had to go into an internet cafe in both countries.
I was amazed at how many MEN were in there with what looked like many windows open on their computers.
It was so obvious that they were posing as women trying to scam foreigners out of money.
Try to see your online "date" over the webcam if possible.
At least you know you will be chatting to someone who is who they say they are............