you exchange non-specific info for a while, maybe talk on the phone, maybe meet at a neutral venue and go with your gut instinct at all times. conversations usually give a clue to what risk there might be, if you suspect the other may not be kosher, you stop any contact and go no further. you are as likely to be a journalist or an axe murderer as i am. "one bit at a time" is the only way to eat an elephant!
i am not far from london, see if you have the nerve to contact me at a spare email addy i have
jnenglish68@yahoo.co.uk
and we will converse, but i promise you nothing more until i am happy you are genuine!