I'm sure he had no trouble doubling smaller sums (the article stated he also had significant debts), and made up stories about how it would take longer and be m

I'm sure he had no trouble doubling smaller sums (the article stated he also had significant debts), and made up stories about how it would take longer and be more complicated to double larger sums. Going back to MMOs, scammers in EVE have a jumble of variants on this scam. Typically they'll double your money if it's below a certain amount, but run away with any larger sums. Sometimes they frame the game as a lottery or game of skill: only the first person whose cash transfer shows up in their wallet will have their money doubled. With arbitrary rules like that, it's easier to give excuses as to why they weren't able to double the money. Oh, you didn't read the fine print in my bio: better luck next time! A good rube might fork over multiple donations before he realizes his money won't be coming back. Of course, scamming in that game is perfectly legal, so it's a lot easier to just block and ignore your marks.