Mindless optimism at it's finest? Hardly!
It might just surprise you to learn that this sort of thing happens all over the world on a daily basis and it works out fine for many. I've known quite a few dudes ( and females) over the years who've met their partners this way so, it's not always a scam. Having said that, none of the girls were cam girls but that's not to say she is not gen!
Of course there is the risk of it being a scam and that is a chance he takes but, if you always go through life looking at everything through cynical eyes or look just for the bad in people - who is worse, the optimist or the cynic?