Unfortunately in an environment such as this, there are scammers and people who take advantage. Maybe it is an individual who finds the opportunity to take advantage of someone at little cost to themselves. Maybe it is part of a bigger group. Probably will never know the answer. I have had girls write to me using friend's profiles. I've had girls ask for email correspondence in the first few letters (red flag). I had one girl send me pictures of public figures (Lera Gromova was the most recent). And I have gotten letters from girls that seem so desperate that you have to wonder about their motivations. I have had women seem to act serious and never even looked at my profile (red flag). There are plenty of other indications as well.
Of course, this does not avoid the individual who is a real girl and looking to take advantage of men. I read on one of the forums, a woman at a salon who heard two other married women talking about the gifts they got from men on a dating site.
We need to protect ourselves as much as the women need to protect themselves. A long distance relationship is serious business. It takes a long time and it requires a very level head at all times to as we say, "keep our eyes open".
Steiner, hope you learned a lesson, experience is the best teacher and maybe was a chance for other me to avoid the same situation.
Good luck in your search, FSU women are wonderful!