There are lots of 'should do this first' on this, but the answer is very simple. If you are asked at any time to send an advance fee, by a cash wire transfer service (Western Union, Money Gram, Money Pak, Green Dot, etc.), it's a scam. The same holds for any kind of personal, or financial information. Remember the above services are NEVER to be used for any kind of business transaction, or where you do not personally know the receiver of the money.