Going from "I don't know this person" to "we're a team" is a major red flag IMO. Sounds like an attempt to avoid a ban. If this "team" relationship had been made clear previously I'd say fair enough. But when it's as an excuse after being caught red handed - it's the same as the mother/brother/cousin excuse that many caught shitposters use. Report it to the mods as ban evasion and see if they agree.