These types of wire scams have been prevalent on the internet for 20 years.

All this info per random internet searches, so who knows how true that is, but overall it makes sense. 

If you want true leads, you need to source them by internet with landing pages, Facebook ads, etc and use SEO.

I manage three vaca properties across the country with a good team consisting of cleaning people who are always checking on the property when they do switch overs and a few maintenance guys I trust (plumber, handyman, HYVAC, Techie - internet/security cameras) to call when needed.

Title rep or any real estate agent with MLS access can run a search for you for all cash closed transactions and then you just go through them looking for entity names and names that repeat on the list in your area.Finding the deals is really the tough part and typically, it takes some form of direct marketing, or public marketing plus internet advertising to bring in leads.

Congratulations, you have found one of the most valuable free resources on the internet for real estate investors new and old.

Great businesses rose from the Great Depression without internet.

Also, as a woman, I'd be extremely hesitant to go to a Meetup at someone's house or to put my address on the internet.

Bank of internet, and quicken loans.

No way I would attempt to run an apparel business in the internet age without utilizing a partner like this.