ClearDay, I hear you but I think in a lot of ways it's indicative of this thing where we've certainly become more global and accessible because of the internet, but also more isolated, more than ever. I think with the OP, there's some other things going on that has made his life isolated, based on other stuff he's posted. Loverboy, I'm not saying that out of judgement but just to give context.

And yeah, how you stop it from happening is that YOU stop it from happening. This is all within your control. I think loneliness and wanting a girlfriend is skewing your judgement. Happens to a lot of people, even in non internet interactions. All anyone can do is learn from this kind of thing so it doesn't happen again.

Yes, what rawblu said. And don't get "involved" with online strangers. Or off line strangers.

Your "girlfriend" could have been a 55 year old man with a wife and five children .

Remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

I hear you rmb , it's just very frustrating to read this.

Someone needs to say something. I don't care how lonely someone is, this is insane.

I think the thing with online relationships and why they can be so good is that your mind fills in the blanks and our minds are powerful things

Maybe I'm just not that good at deluding myself.

This is just a crying shame.

I just reported that post!

It's been marked as spam and reported

ClearDay1 I just wanted to say that I wasn't lonely or anything like that. Actually back then I was at my very best; I had a great job, friends who were actually true friends, etc. I was busy and wasn't looking for a boyfriend, we just talked a lot and he seemed to be nice. Trust me I kicked my own a$$ A LOT for a long time! I feel that there are a$$holes and b1tches just as well offline, you have to vet, vet, vet even if it makes them somewhat uncomfortable! Now I google them and everything else before I even start a conversation after, "hi how are you?"I did meet a great friend from myspace who was as genuine when we met face to face, so online dating isn't all that bad.

There's nothing bad about online introductions.

Just seems common sense is flying out the window.

If you have never met someone, it's an online acquaintance, and not your significant other, and should be treated as such.

I have several friends who have met someone special through dating sites.

Key word being MET.

I had an online relationship that ended up awful!!... I had recently lost 3 close members of my first family and I was in a terrible depression.... There's a lot of reasons for looking for a reason to feel better

Only date girls who have a job, even a part-time minimum-wage job, SOMETHING, so you can see that they at least have a desire to make their own money.

Sorry to hear about your losses SunCloud :(. And I'm not doing very well in the depression department right now. I'm not too thrilled with anything right now. Doesn't make me want to look for just any Joe Blow on the internet to whisper sweet nothing's.

Maybe I'm too far gone.

Another good red flag to watch out for:

NIGERIA

For heaven's sake don't reply to ANYONE from Nigeria.

I hope that wasn't implying that I was looking for any Joe blow on the internet... Nor was I delusional... well maybe I was delusional I married him...sigh... Sorry you're struggling with depression....and for sure Nigeria is a hotbed for scammers... that's not to say anything negative about wonderful people from that part of the world however unfortunately a ton of scams have originated from there

Wow and ouch ClearDay1 that's kind of a low blow to say she or anyone was looking for any Joe Blow on the internet! I've read your posts and fully understand you don't really like the whole internet dating thing, or only if you see them face to face first, but don't throw daggers at people who have. Life is all about living and learning, that's how we grow so whatever mistakes we made (make) we'll do it differently.