Last year, more than 15,000 victims lost some $210 million in "confidence frauds" and romance scams, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The lesson: Meeting people online comes with risks. And the way to protect yourself or someone you love isn't as simple as "Don't be foolish." Smart people fall prey to scams. Scammers are really good at what they do.

The judge said 16 of Taylor's two dozen victims from New York to Atlanta lost from several hundred dollars to more than $50,000 after encountering his "quest for money, respect, admiration and control." She said some victims, who lost a total of more than $290,000, were left financially ruined while others had credit ratings ruined or were left suffering from fear, depression, anxiety and concern for their personal safety.