I believe there is some truth to whatever he said to lend credibility to his excuses. That is often how it works. However there are also unsubstantiated facts such as loss of his recovery key, the utility of whatever he claimed his pandacoin is worth and the people that worked on his pandacoin, none of this has been explained.
I think @littlenewthings and myself did ask our friends who attended the steemfest to find him and pass him some cash to assist him. But again what we hear was different versions of stories going around and his inability to be contacted was quite mind boggling. His sudden departure from the Air BnB accommodation in Malaysia was also a bit surprising as it is the first time I see someone not minding to pay above market price for his accommodation and claims he has the ability to pay. I am sure there is a different version from the landlord. I am sceptical because I can find the smooth transition between his stories.