This is the "increments" scam, a variation of the full blown scam itself. The scammer usually tried to extract the maximum or entire coins from you first. If you refuse or hesitate, the scammer will quickly try to save the day by asking for a deposit instead. Small talk and rapport building are then used to try to rebuild and win the victim's confidence and when the time is right, he will go for the kill by asking for 50% or more upfront. By this time, the victim will have been pressure-cooked into doing it. Something like a hypnotized state of mind. After sending coins, the scammer disappears and that's the last you hear from him.

Never ever transact with strangers without escrow. Coins paid upfront are coins forever lost. This is the basic and core rule of Online Transactions 101. Never let a user's rank affect and influence your decision to pay first or to use escrow. Scammers have learned to farm and buy well-aged accounts and use them to portray themselves as established and trusted members.

I just sent him a PM and asked that he defend himself on this thread. If he doesn't, then a DT member should please tag the account to give him a 0.054 btc lesson to remember.