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It doesn't really matter why he thought it. The point is he clearly legitimately thought it. A scam is when you intentionally mislead someone. In this instance Zach not only paid the vast majority of the money, he segregated the remainder in good faith until he discovered the resolution to a financial issue that could cripple him (or even land him in jail).
There's no remotely reasonable definition of scam under which this situation falls.
So let's see. In Zach's world OP decided to pay 8.5k for maybe 12k in FTP in maybe future - a price nobody sane would pay at that time. What is worse if the taxes turned out to be 50% or something then Zach's with clear conscience would only pay 8k back and "separate" remaining 8k to pay his taxes.
It's not like with first and second degree murder when you are establishing intent at the time of committing it. The scam here occurs once Zach refuses to pay which is very reversible action (unlike murder). He might have believed he is in the right not paying the whole 16k back at first but it's easy for him to get educated on what the deal meant or maybe try adjudication by community members. Once he refuses to do that the intent of shorting OP is established therefore we are back in scam category.
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This is a situation where both parties were fast and loose with a high dollar value deal. There was a miscommunication which in turn was handled less than ideally from each side.
Man, it's pretty clear what Zach meant when making this deal and collecting 8.5k. OP offered this deal, unless Zach is a total idiot he knew the going rate might be 8.5k now for 16k on FTP but it couldn't possibly be 8.5k for 12k. The meaning of the deal was clear as sky for everyone involved and was confirmed by Zach saying he owes 16k once FTP is back.
As to this:
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until he discovered the resolution to a financial issue that could cripple him (or even land him in jail).
There is a difference between saying: "I am busto, I can't pay now because I need to cover other debtors/living expenses let's figure some payment schedule for the future" and "I won't pay what I owe, **** you".
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I advised Zach that your libel and character assassination completely forfeits any additional money you are entitled to.
So you refuse to pay, your creditor gets mad and call you names and then you feel justified for not paying because of that. Great. Seems like refusing to pay and rubbing it into creditors face is quite profitable strategy.