This is actually a standard crowdfunding technique even when it's not from "shady" sources -- you "seed" your campaign with your own money to make it look like

This is actually a standard crowdfunding technique even when it's not from "shady" sources -- you "seed" your campaign with your own money to make it look like it has traction, giving it social proof so other people fund it. Kickstarter knows people do this but they don't care because they still get their cut.