EXLA Resources Inc. (EXLA)

[1manband]

Our hypothetical scammer can just say he was improving the mine so he could take potential business partners down there to show them the mine.

Sorry, but that is not how it works. Any "improvements" require extensive permitting requirements. Which can require hundreds of thousands of dollars and years to obtain, which include public comment periods. McFarland has been trying to obtain permits for much less for years. And has so far been unsuccessful.

That is just one of many things wrong with your scenario.