Online dating makes it too easy to fall in love with a picture and a profile that’s all about self-advertising. Six ways to tell if a relationship is worth the time and money to pursue.

Instructions:

Step 1
First, you MUST determine if you’re dealing with a real person. Ask them personal (but not intimate) questions. Get the person’s phone number if it’s a domestic agency. Foreign matchmaking sites are different: the legitimate ones DO NOT give out contact information to protect the ladies and your privacy. If your questions are answered, chances are it’s a real person seeking love.

Step 2
Ask the person to send more photos. Sexy pictures are a big draw in online dating, especially foreign women. But is it her, or a paid model? Better yet, chat with the person online if foreign, or call them if within your country. Foreign online dating agencies should have “video validation” that certifies a woman’s identity.

Step 3
Use a reliable search engine or social networking to learn more about the person in industrialized countries. In some countries with limited bandwidth and pricey Internet, you’ll have to rely on a good agency to “validate” a woman for you.