I just wanted to make it clear that my "This guy is unreal" comment on PWR's thread (which sparked the subsequent POD chain) was made in good faith. That is, I genuinely believed the story and thought the guy's behaviour was outrageous. I wasn't trying to coyly question the validity of PWR's story.
Anyway, this thread has been very instructive and illuminating. I do agree that notifying a mod is the best way to handle a suspected shenanigans.