I don't know what the article says, but a lack of game (as we know it) doesn't shock me in the slightest either. He's an ultra-successful businessman and criminal, not a player. I mean, the guy has been BUSY and hasn't exactly had the time or motivation to be here studying the RVF text game threads....
I've known guys who got rich in the illicit trades that were most definitely alpha but still atrocious with women, and their antics were similar to what was described.
For example, I remember watching one that specifically comes to mind essentially "court" an obvious (but smoking hot) American slut for months before she'd go out with him, buying her diamond rings and huge bouquets of roses. Following her around everywhere and paying for everything. Went as far as to send someone to kick the shit out of a guy who was on a date with her one time. He was stuck on that bitch for years and she played him.
Another has dated and knocked up several of the hottest broads where I'm from and yet you see him on Facebook publicly telling girls how gorgeous they are in their photos.
Being a leader among men does not equate to knowing how to lead women.
The tough part is they have little incentive to improve because eventually some hottie does go for it - money alone may not pull women but combine money with being notorious and a leader among criminals, and game becomes much less of an issue.
Of course it's a recipe for getting played by devious women though too.
Another thing to note is that in this type of scenario her friendzoning may not have been completely legitimate. When a woman goes up against this type of big fish she will sometimes play hard to get to the extreme to lock it in. Not to mention having many reasons to be on the fence.
He may very well have known all that too and was playing it out the way he saw fit to get the results he wanted. "May" being the key word here.