How would the OP be able to trust "Jimmy from NY" that he does not know, anymore than an offshore outfit?
if he was on the east coast he could easily meet "jimmy from NY" through myself maybe BAS or anyone who was willing to help. seems a lot safer than offshore IMO, i know a couple guys and are legit and not worried about any kind of money that ends in thousand. Maybe far fetched in certain areas of the country but NY PA NJ is a little different