The problem with online romances is, the whackos get all the press. People are people wherever you go. Just recently a guy got into a "romance" with a teenager here. He was 30 something. He came to Maine to kidnap her, but, she called the police and when they arrived, he shot himself in the head. Some years ago another nut did himself in with a chainsaw on his intended's lawn! Does the internet create these nuts? of course not.
In my own case, I don't do the bar scene, I don't belong to any organized relegion, or any other group of people, so, if I want to meet someone, the internet is one option, and, I take my quirks with me.
It's like blaming all sailors when you see one that is drunk. Remember the saying, "Drunken sailor"?