I once paid for a punt up front with a girl I'd seen several times previously by doing a transfer direct into her bank account. She claimed to be having issues raising a deposit on her new flat and had to move today, but would show me an extra good time for my assistance and give me a free hour...
Pretty much ended as expected. Day of the punt and the excuses started, getting ever more bizarre. Led me on further, numerous cancelled bookings later, I eventually gave up and wrote off the £125 as a learning experience.
She later accused me of outing her to some guy who we both supposedly knew. I had no idea what she was on about.
The lesson, never ever pay anything up front.