The mathematical statement is: Y=nX
The language version is : "Y is n times X"
When the initial quantity X is compared to a final quantity Y, then the language version can be "Y is n times greater than X". Often the initial quantity is implied and the comparison is dropped for brevity, so becoming just "Y is n times greater"

In the context the OP is incorrectly complaining about, times and fold are synonyms.
This is five times larger than that, and; This is five-fold larger than that; have the same meaning.
Likewise; This is five times smaller than that, and; This is five-fold smaller than that; have the same meaning.
There are four-fold fewer people in this country than one.
There are four rimes fewer people in this country than that one.

No oxymorons, no inconsistencies, no contradictions.:rolleyes:

There is a difference today in lack of fact checkers and sometimes even editors to check grammer. Even with large papers. Often you can drop the "oxi" from your rant.

I had to laugh. Don't tell my friends please. lol

sad sad days indeed
when the public had no reliable source of information to base there thinking on
this could be the problem that leads to our extinction
by letting the problem that kills us all sneak up on us