If you or someone you care about believes you may be the victim of a scam (particularly a romance scam), please remember that US Embassies and Consulates are excellent resources for finding out whether or not your Internet pal is really a stranded American in distress or the heir to an undisclosed gold mine. An email or phone call to the American Citizens Services office can result in a Consular Officer checking US passport records, confirming that a hotel/hospital/police station does (or does NOT) exist, and explaining that the "Basic Travel Allowance" is as fictional as the Twilight Saga.
As an officer in a West Africa-based US Consulate, I talk to too many victims of scams - 15 to 20 per day - and often wish I had a way to warn more people before they lose their hearts and their money. Please reach out to us if you need us -
www.travel.state.gov.