Yes indeed, I was one of those who lapped it up without doing the kind of due diligence or background checks that you did - I would not have thought to do so, instead just locked onto this seeming opportunity for Steem (and, boiled down to it, personal gain).
I feel a little dirty now (not angry - I accept this is a game and that I played along; didn't know I was being played). In order to wash the experience off my being and feel free of it, I am now making this comment and resteeming your post :D.
