someone in anticipation of receiving something of greate value — such as a loan , contract , investment , or gift — and receives little or nothing in return .
The variety of advance fee schemes is limited only by th imagination of the con artists who offer them . They ma involve the sale of products or services , the offering of investments , lottery winnings , “ found money ,” or many “ opportunities .” Clever con artists will offer to find fina arrangements for their clients who pay a “ finder ’ s fee ” in advance . They require their clients to sign contracts in w they agree to pay the fee when they are introduced to th financing source . Victims often learn that they are inelig financing only after they have paid the “ finder ” accordin the contract . Such agreements may be legal unless it can shown that the “ finder ” never had the intention or the a provide financing for the victims .