I can relate to your friend as I used to be hooked on Crash game and similar games, because of all the luck-based games, crash offers a huge jackpot, a feeling of excitement, and a roller coaster ride, a player always thinks that he is a hit away to regain all his losses.
I've seen one thread here where one player made a jackpot but because of a malfunction of his phone, he cannot cash out.
I also experienced what your friend has gone through where I hit early only to find out that the prize took off to a massive multiplier.
Crash games are very addictive you could end up losing a lot of money if you don;t have control on how you play this game, glad that I have an early intervention