The key is to get inside your mark's mind. Understand how they think, where they come from, what they went through. You can't apply misdirection until you understand what they care about, and you can't lay a trap without knowing of their desire.
There is a subtle craft in conning trading algorithms with fake news. He's the best at this unique trade, and he's paid handsomely for his work. That's the only reason why he keeps doing it, because it used to be fun, but now he has begun to care for them.