probably best for their exchange to just pay this guy off so he goes quiet.
I don't think that paying would actually resolve their situation. I mean, from what I understand, this bertyar88 is kinda an undecent person (he tried to steal money), so spreading this "scam" can be also classified as blackmailing. I bet, basefex thought, that if they pay him once, he'll (under a different account) come back, create similar situation and will ask for "compensation" again. And it's a very healthy way to assume it tho. Btw, even if they paid him, there's no guarantee, that he'd delete all his messages about the so-called scam and actually publish disclaimer for previous messages.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not defending Basefex. It fact, it's their fault that this whole situation occurred. As this guy said:
They would be guilty of something. But it by no means justify what bertyar88 did. It is like you accidentally left wallet wide open in the subway while peeking a girl, which could be your fault. However does it legitimize someone who picked your wallet and took away your money? No. A theft stealing from a fool is still a theft.