He's using noob mentality. Basically, one principle in noob mentality is to use obvious reverse psychology to get someone to do something. Example: "Hah. You call that a map? I dare you to redo mine like yours. I bet ya can't!" "Huh, no! I can totally do it, jerk. Bring it on."
Now, in this technique, the noob tries to make it that the other person is totally oblivious to the scam, but in fact, is oblivious to which the other person may know that it is a scam. In the event two noobs are involved, the plan is a success for one of them. If a non-noob is involved, it's usually a failure, but it has been known to work a few times here and there. Nonetheless, this is the same tactic mikesword122 is using to get a polished avatar from nitro.