In all environments when there is a barrier to some goal someone comes up with a way around said barrier.
When money is tight, the "front fee" guys appear and for a small fee that has to be paid "up front" they will secure you financing for your endeavor. You are, of course, desperate to secure said financing and agree to pay this small fee, usually around 15K-25K. Of course, since you are going to make millions on your project this is but a small drop in the bucket.
After they have secured fees from 60-80 potential clients they seem to go out of business. I know a guy that brought in about 3 million doing this. Got 5 years in state pen.
Make no mistake about it the offshore route around PDT is 90% a scam. Doesn't pass the "smell test".
If you want a real safe investment you should help the poor Nigerian middle manager who has access to several million dollars in un-invoiced funds in a foreign bank. If you will facilitate the banking arrangements he will share this with you, LOL.
Be careful
SteveD