As the lockout continues, players are affected not only by their loss of income but by a potentially messy situation under which their home countries may seek to tax income earned during the lockout, which would include income from investments, endorsements and their 2011-12 NHL escrow payment, which was made in October and amounted to nearly 8% of their 2011-12 salary.

FORBES: NHL Lockout Creates Tax Residency Issue For Players

His fast-growing business, funded by IDG and Softbank, has more than 500, 000 registered users, with a goal of 1 million by next year--boosted by an escrow-based online payment service in a market where credit cards and bank transfers aren't common.

FORBES: Commentary

One participant was instructed to wire her payment to an account in the name of Delaware Escrow Co.

FORBES: Oxbridge Scams Pegasus