Supply:
Socially unregulated market saturated with self-absorbed narcissists operating in an identity-fluid internet environment, who are insulated from retribution by defrauded customers and have no motivation to hold the worst offenders accountable for their deceptions and larceny.
...
Demand:
Inelastic … abundant simps agreeing to absurd level, pay-up-front pricing and tolerating abusive practices and disrespect even after having recognized behavioral red flags flying in the wind before paying … and then repeating the sh*t show.

Most who post fake profiles are:
A. Crossdressers (CD's) who can't get clients because they might not be attractive or feminine looking.  
B. People who scam for money. Usually asking for a deposit.
C. Some are real TS providers that post 2–3 ads using other girls’ photos with different numbers to try to get more clients.  

A trans girl I do sessions with regularly gave me the 3rd tip and I finally caught on to it lol. You can tell if all the profiles are always online at the same time (if using TSescorts).

Don't throw anything at me, but asking for a deposit doesn't mean a provider is a scammer. A lot of clients on the forums will talk at length about how evil deposits are, but many legit providers use them. You waste your time and money enough and you get more comfortable with shrinking your client pool to protect your peace and your money. I don't always require a deposit on incalls, but I always require a travel fee up front on outs to cover my Uber. It only takes a time or two of being burned for $60 in Ubers before you say enough is enough.  

All that said, very high deposits are definitely a red flag. Otherwise you have to do your research and dig into a provider. Are they active across multiple social and professional platforms? Do they have a website? Reviews? Is their branding, pricing, and contact info consistent throughout? That's how you tell.

A guy was asking if anyone knew a certain provider on a local board on another forum the other day and I about had an aneurysm. 3 total professional listings, one marked as unverified. No socials other than OF. No website. No reviews. Only contact method was a cell number. Different names on different platforms. And on and on and on.  

If you already knew this, apologies for the rant lol. I just read your post as assuming anyone requiring a deposit was immediately a scammer. If my read was correct, I implore you to consider rethinking your perspective.