According to COINTELPRO Sputnik's & Criptix's posts falls under Technique #3 - 'TOPIC DILUTION'. Criptix's posts go even further and venture into Technique #4 - 'INFORMATION COLLECTION' and even Technique #5 - 'ANGER TROLLING' with the reference to money.

Reference:

"Cointelpro Techniques for dilution, misdirection and control of a internet forum" -- https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1319384.0