1st question answer deals fall apart, there's nothing we can prove.
2nd question: Jerry Griffith is not Jerry Swinford and it's very possible that the sale failed due to issues between them or a failure by Swinford to produce the motors or any number of things. What if Swinford wanted the deal to fail? We don't know. The bottom line is it didn't happen.
It's not black and white. Imo, it's not proven or GFCI would already be shut down. That's what I base my opinion on.
Therefore, it is possible it is a scam. It's also possible it isn't.