You are assuming that 'CommanderX' had a clue what he was talking about. A perfectly reasonable interpretation of those logs simply assumes that 'CommanderX'

You are assuming that 'CommanderX' had a clue what he was talking about. A perfectly reasonable interpretation of those logs simply assumes that 'CommanderX' rather liked the idea that Aaron thought he was some kind of super criminal, and didn't see any reason to deny it. A second perfectly reasonable interpretation of that conversation is simply that 'CommanderX' thought Aaron was a twat and pretended to be some kind of leader for the 'lulz' If you are inclined to believe that CommanderX is a criminal mastermind, then the conversation could certainly be interpreted that way. Personally I struggle with the idea that a criminal mastermind would simply reveal himself to anybody who asked him about it. My own interpretation of that conversation is that CommanderX said what he thought Aaron wanted to hear, and implied things that flattered his own ego. Which speaks not at all to the actual level of involvement CommanderX may have had in the events that transpired, or his knowledge of them.