"Just don't online date"

Just don't do it. You've been warned.

A handful of women are romanced out of almost $300,000 in a Nigerian romance hoax

For one woman, the online dating scheme started when the unidentified middle-aged divorcee received text messages last year from a man about 10 years younger than her.

"They said, 'You know, you're a very pretty lady, I like your profile,'" the victim told the Edmonton Sun. "You feel very flattered."

After several more e-mails, instant messages and phone calls, the man promised to come to Canada and marry her.

Then came the requests for money, including one that claimed the man's son was hospitalized and needed three surgeries, the Sun reported. The scheme continued for about five months.

"I had so many friends tell me, 'Don't send money,'" she said. "But you love that person, you believe what they say. You don't want to stop." [Source]

The chances of them finding the band of thieves are slim to none, not to mention that money which is also probably long gone. It's sad, man. It really is. Middle-aged women are the easiest targets.

But ummmm - he said he was coming to Canada to marry you? And you never met? But you've been married before, are accustomed to the usual wedding experience, and still didn't see this hot mess coming? What up with that?