maybe they are doing the fast food pay it forward trick from the tim robinson show. someone else adds more, then they take it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52LJaWDdG9c

How so? Anyone can do this, if it fits their agenda. Especially useful way to use your stolen/extorted BTC. If I had an exploit for this right before or right after embargo was lifted, and I could do that again, then it is in my interest to have cybersecurity people get more lax. For example, any secret agency in the world could be behind such a psyop. But also any criminal group or company invested in this field. You seen recently (Shinyhunters) how people can wear double hats.

Another trick could be to increase hype. Original author could've done that, for example because they always planned to burn 1k USD in BTC on this for whatever reason.

And then there's the trick to hope others follow, after which he, ehh, magically takes the money. That's a bit akin to ICO scams.

Can I prove any of the above theories? No. But the author cannot prove their motives are sincere either.