Bizarre: fabricated complaints about misconduct at Saxion

Using fake emails, abused names and fabricated letters, someone tried to fool journalists at Saxion University of Applied Sciences. However, there appears to have been no serious misconduct at all.

The editors of SaxNow received a tip-off regarding alleged transgressive behaviour at one of the university of applied sciences’ programmes. The story sounded very serious, but the tipster was terrified that her name would be revealed: the editors had to promise they would not reveal the source.

Later, emails from students were added. There were even phone calls. However, everyone wanted to remain anonymous, and allegations remained vague. The editors were working on it for months, with a couple of intervals, writes SaxNow.

When a group email from a team leader was forwarded to them, the editors were finally able to check something without giving away their source. However, that email turned out to be forged. The web began to unravel, and it soon turned out to be made entirely of lies.

Manipulation

SaxNow: “There have been attempts to manipulate us, through emails, video calls, real appointments, social media accounts, numerous phone numbers, Signal, ProtonMail and WhatsApp. In short, no stone was left unturned in getting us to publish a story that would have caused very serious harm to others.”

The editor shares that the perpetrator has confessed. Moreover, she had done something like this before at Saxion. The university of applied sciences has filed charges of identity abuse and forged messages.