| I have no idea if the passport is fake or legitimate, there will really be no way for you to ever tell. My roommate however, went through the very same thing with someone claiming to need money for the same thing. He bought the "Gambian woman" a passport then took it one step further and sent her money for a webcam too so that she could "prove" who she was. An individual came onto the webcam, and promptly needed more money for other things and when refused, refused to go further with conversation until he paid up. She claimed then that she needed money for living expenses etc. She said she would only meet him if he bought her things/sent her money.
I get emails like this in my hotmail... probably around 10 a day, which go straight to the bin. I know people who have met these "women" on chat sites, sex sites, through their emails and through their social networking sites.
Beware. Know the person personally before you go sending money. No matter what they can send you as "proof".
They are similar to the scammers from Kenya who ask you to Western Union them money for damage deposits on houses that they claim they are renting out. (The houses exist alright... and are for rent.... but aren't theirs!!!) | 
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