Because when ghosted, some people catastrophise. If it happens a lot they start to worry about what might be wrong with them. Our brains aren’t wired for it.
So, yes, sometimes a polite lie is better than nothing. Sometimes a polite lie is better than the truth. Its not you, its me.
You do know they will do both, right? They will flog the dead horse into the ground. Then stop when its not making money. Nthen reboot it once enough time has passed.