Yes, I have lied like this several times and fraudmaxxed in this manner. But like others said it doesn't work long-term or all the time. So I have to be very careful and selective to who I use these lies around. I analyze the situation to select if it will work or not, and I make mental notes in order to keep the lie consistent properly as well.
Keep in mind I only do this for self-protection. Lying like this is worthless if you are in a situation where the lie will be long-term or if they seem like inquisitive people who will as questions or ask for pictures. It is only useful to, like OP said, gain some breathing room or get the normies to shut up, and only useful if the lie will be used in short-term situations around people who would believe it. Essentially I do it on occasion, in the hopes that I will be able to be treated better by normans or so they do not verbally attack me.
Also, I NEVER brag in the lies, or lie about "having a current gf". It is always a grounded, believable lie, such as "having had a recent or not recent ex-gf", or "talking to someone" or "having a situationship" or "having a hookup/one-night stand".
However in all likelihood, the normies are able to (and have been able to in the past), sniff me out and realize that I was a liar. This is likely due to me being a terrible fraudmaxxer and terrible at lying in general. My autism/non-NT status probably also is a dead giveaway to the truth. So in order to prevent embarrassment or reputation loss I have to keep the lies at a strict minimum and necessity-only basis.
