"...are probably many more exponentially who engage with a sociopath or con artist like I did"

I disagree that there are MORE of them. They are out there and all it takes is one to make someone's life hell but I doubt there are that many "sociopathic online dates" like you make it sound. I know that you are jaded and that's understandable but there are far more peopel that find decent dates than get defrauded.

yes be careful but please keep this in perspective.

Also, I am not a pro-online dating person at all. I have no desire to do so but it's not because of the fear like you have either.

Hang in there there's someone for you. Online dating is only one place to find potential mates.