I think that is easy to understand that the user has tried to build a trust by take and pay little loan, with the hope to gain trust : now he is arrived at the end of the scheme, and he asked bigger amount for scam.
Not necessarily true, I used to take loan for couple of months, I was forced because of my bad financial condition. marcotheminer was a lender back in the days and has turned into a borrower now. Probably he is passing worst days now. I am not vouching anyone here. Never give a loan without a
valid collateral. And all of the borrowers giving a valid collateral must think of
collateral scammers.
At the end of the day, always using a trusted escrow is the best deal.