Without getting into the rights and wrongs of pay to fly schemes, I am constantly amazed at just how gullible some aspiring pilots do seem to be.
Unless an ATO operates solely for its own benefit, such as a carrier training and checking its own crews under local NAA regulations, any other ATO providing services to 3rd parties should at least have an internationally recognized (EASA, FAA or the like) accreditation of its training equipment and training programs (and to have these, operate under what is now a demanding CMS/QMS).
These are published on line and are easy enough to check. This would provide some level of confidence that there is a level of regulatory oversight and financial respectability.
Without making these simple checks, you are fair game.