spying and 5x size

[LordStDenis]

I've just been spied on by a player, his spies died, but when I try to spy back, the game tells me you can't spy on a player 5x larger or smaller than yrself, how is this possible , surely if I fall in the right upper range for him he should be inside the lower range limit for me?
Does this also mean if he attacks me I won't be allowed to attack back either?

[Angela]

The game doesn't allow spying or attacking Empires outside out of range x5.
If this player is 5 times smaller than you (based on networth points) he can't attack you.
Did you raise any net worth points before trying to spy on him?

[LordStDenis]

can't be sure, I probably did raise some but after I was refused he tried to spy me again, so I can't have gone that far ahead

[Angela]

Can you write his username please?