I read the piece and wondered:
How is informant income reported to the IRS?
Just guessing here, but there’s probably some out-source ‘service’ listed with a W2 coming each Jan...with some fed tax already taken out and possibly a state-tax situation taken as well. I would also imagine that you only get your ‘commission’ if promises are made and actual delivery. I don’t see this as a career builder situation.
Would be an interesting TV script...you get some guy lined up to be a fake FBI agent and convince some idiot to be an informant, and you (the agent) disappear as soon as the act is committed.