Good to read that you used common sense and did not fall for so many scams. It must be a daily routine especially in the English teaching industry.
One thing though, a license in China means nothing to me. I have experienced many times that companies borrow those licences to each other to get what they want. At least in the construction industry. Any newcomer to any industry is most likely photo shopping their licenses.
Only way to stay clear of trouble is to use instincts. If the school is using such a lame ass agency to find them schools, they must be bad.