The front company
is only comprised of several employees. These employees may also have other incorporated businesses.
does not know much about the equipment being requested, which someone working with the equipment would reasonably be expected to know.
declines a maintenance warranty or operator training associated with the equipment.
conveys the impression the equipment is for a third party and the real end user is unknown.
may identify itself as being in the consulting or brokering business.
may have connections or business with a foreign embassy.
may be financed by a foreign bank.
may have an office in an embargoed country.
wants to close the deal quickly and provides the money up front.

myślę, że fly-by-night znaczy bardziej 'cwany'
np. fly-by-night financial wizard. Nie może być 'fictitious' po prostu?

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Note added at 33 mins (2006-05-12 10:22:32 GMT)
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myliłem się: fly-by-night znaczy firmy które szybko znikają, więc byc może to jest jednak to czego potrzebujesz