Now I feel I can not trust the screening results.

Just trust us with your nest egg.  

Extremely communicative and Bob spent time over multiple phone calls answering specific questions I had concerning the deal.

I agree with Erik, although their are some investors out there that will help fund the down payment/entry fees that you mention, they typically are friends and family that trust you and believe in you.

I had grown very close to him and had developed a great deal of trust for this person.

-I'm fairly careful with communication , but again, I know doing business online is way riskier, but I want to ask: Typically, I would trust someone who seems very in-depth, informative (gives statistics and numbers), and basically would give me thorough steps (including worst-case scenarios and what would best fit my situation)^^would people who have experience say that even with the above, some agents/lenders/PMs would still be sort of out to get your money and do a lousy job?

You have to disclose you are an agent and people statistically don't like or trust agents.  

I go to a shop and pay them, because I don't trust my mechanical skills, even with something as basic as an oil change.Any tax preparer anywhere, including franchises like H&R Block, should be able to prepare your taxes correctly.

You need to identify which strategy you like best before jumping in and get extremely familiar with the process of underwriting deals.

Lesson learned to never trust anyone on social media.