Kind of like being the Secretary of State and running the Clinton Foundation.
I see the similarity that you're seeing...
to me though, the difference is the level of the victims!
In your scenario we have very wealthy people donating and 'hoping' they may get something in return 'down the road'.
The veteran's scam is coming from the opposite end of the wealth spectrum...
and I doubt that any of those that are making donations were hoping to receive any future benefit from their donations.