We do not ask anyone to pay upfront. We take a deposit, and 4 additional installements throughout the training, just like all FTO's.
That is
Not all FTOs require payment in that manner. I trained many moons ago at a small school in Bournemouth and each Friday afternoon we got a detailed statement for that weeks flying. As a student I was required to pay that off there and then in full and keep my account in credit (by how much was up to me but as a goodwill gesture I left around £500 in there). I paid by credit card and had the full protection from VISA as a back up.
The school was happy as they were getting paid weekly. Most of their expenses such as wages, airport charges and fuel were settled monthly so the school was never out of pocket.
Any other payment means are effectively a ponzi in disguise. Hence why we keep banging on and telling people not to pay upfront.