Is it common to pay for taxi in advance in the Balkan countries?

Is it common in Balkan countries to pay for a taxi in advance? We have taken a water taxi and been asked to pay in advance and paid not to the driver, but to his "boss". Then we arrived half way and the driver asked for more money, claiming that is the place we paid to go to, resulting a big argument and big disappoint in local people.

Is that a common fraud scheme when taxi asks for payment in advance and we should steer clear from these guys?