Merit exchange? Is there any evidence that they are alternative accounts? I agree with you that the mistake was on the part of the OP and lessons need to be learned. But we see that this is important for the OP; maybe he has a nervous breakdown; I read his post history.
The error appears to be genuine because it was his first time sending out his smerit; however, as you have stated, the OP has learned from his mistake.
Many people are reluctant to read rules line by line, which may be the cause of the error because the forum has made it clear and understandable that all merit sent cannot be reversed, but perhaps the OP's mind is far as he is about to send out his first merit.