Know this:

1) When the email is from Africa (e.g., LAGOS NIGERIA), it's automatically a scam. PERIOD. And that includes unsolicited messages from MATCH.COM and the like.

2) 99% of international dating sites are a scam. PERIOD. I only know of two, perhaps, that I think are honestly legitimate.

3) When you say "she", understand that there is a 99% chance that "she" is a "he", with stolen photos.

DON'T SEND MONEY TO A PHOTO AND A DREAM. GET REAL, GET EDUCATED.

Losing 15k to a Nigerian scammer? No wonder they don't let down after decades of this crap.