It didn't sound like it became apparent to the roommate shortly thereafter. According to the article, it was at least a week later, after the Snowden news broke and the roommate apparently became paranoid.

I'm assuming that the report of paranoia and the sentence "I was afraid that if I didn’t end the torture he might need psychiatric treatment" is comedic hyperbole, but I cease giving any "prank credit" after the roommate explicitly and correctly called the author out as the source of the ads.

It isn't about hurting anyone, it is about having some pride as a trickster/troll. You played a good prank, your roommate figured it out. Time to move on. Anyone can lie through their teeth, that's not clever at that point.

It may not have hurt anyone. But a good rule to live by is: If you find yourself considering lying, then you have made some poor choices somewhere along the line. Every time you find yourself wanting to lie, think about it, and you may come to realize this is a solid rule to try to live by.

I'm actually not opposed to lying as part of a prank. The issue I have is lying when the target essentially says "oh, haha, you're pranking me, right?" At that point, the prankster should just say "yep, I got you good, the end."

or if you're committed to the bit, play it coy and deny it in a way that makes it obvious you're lying.

Your grandmother buys you an ugly sweater. Six months later, close to death, she asks you if you like the sweater she got you.

I don't like this prank.

Thanks for the honest response.

Well, it's not for sure, but arguably. The author seems to think he was on the cusp of it, at least:

>> I was afraid that if I didn’t end the torture he might need psychiatric treatment.