I feel Jura's answer was too cautious. Yes, the internet is full of scammers, but it is also full of real people. It is easy to discern who is fake and who is not, if you know how to find these things out.
What one is more likely to find on the internet are people who are already in relationships, who will cheat on their significant other with you. It's awful but these people are either very unhappy in their life or they just want an ego boost.
I've had a few online relationships. The most common problem is that I am more serious about the relationship than the other person.
If you like them, you should take the leap. If it doesn't work out, you move on.