Be on the alert for a woman who seems exceptional and starts showing too much interest in you too fast. She may be the scam artist. In fact you can't even be sure that the person on the other end is really a woman. It could be a man, posing as a woman to see what he can get out of suckers who send money. Of course don't ever assume that just because a woman doesn't look like an actress or model that she is honest.
Con artists come in every kind of package.
Don't assume she's dishonest just because she's beautiful. The Motivation is Money. Do Not send money. Suppose you get serious with a woman who lives in a country where she can easily get a tourist visa to visit you. Buy her tickets on a no-refund basis and have her pick them up at the airline office.