You know what Tawi, if I'd known back in 2010 when I first started dating overseas what I know now, I probably would haven't gone down this route. You could call it ignorance is bliss in a kind of way. The only important points I knew back then was not to send money and to get to know the lady in question a bit first before traveling over.
Now, I see it as a steepish learning curve with numerous pitfalls along the way. Still, I have absolutely no regrets in searching abroad despite my first foray being unsuccesful in the Phils. I've remained optimistic ever since and far more positive than pre 2010 when I became totally disillusioned with western women.