Peter, some elements of the approach did seem very odd- e.g. asking others to "tell me honestly what you think" about a forum/audience that is listening. Surely that's the sort of question you ask in private if you're really a newcomer wanting to fit in, especially if you're hinting that an audience may be biased against your gender.

Is that enough to declare that the member is bogus? Maybe a newcomer assumed that a post addressed to a particular member goes only to that member. I'd also have to ask why having an attractive photo makes people suspicious. Do you have to be ugly to fit in around here? ;-)

As anybody who has been the victim of an inveterate prankster knows, even if you're convinced you're being punked again you can't afford to hit back until you've caught them out for sure. If this was a punking, the culprit was getting such positive responses that they'd be forced to up the ante, making ther intentions more transparent. As it is, the member managed to imply sexism/unpleasant UT behavior before a virtual storm-off to criticize UT at Foxite.

If it was another sabotage, they must be disappointed at the minimal trouble that resulted. But if she is a real person then maybe somebody sympathetic could phone her at her valid MN address to explain the history and welcome her back. Or maybe they've never heard of her in MN or the real LL has never heard of UT, in which case you have your answer.