Got this question most recently - I'm a self-funded searcher, found two deals and now approaching investors. Sometimes I have requests out of nowhere - I don't know these people and have no friends in common, thus have no clue weather they have the money or not. How can this be found out politely without alienating investors? What's the common practice here - how to make sure that you face the real investor with the money, rather than someone who wants to steal your deal?