It may be that these were scammers reaching out claiming they could influence DT/flags - I have edited my initial message about it because I don’t have clarity on who it was/whether it was genuine.
Update will come tomorrow on the rest.
I am sure no DT would support/oppose any flag for money. If they get cought, they will get negative feedback in return, and they will be kicked out of the DT network. There are a few hundred DT forum members, and let's say they would oppose the flag with a couple of accounts. That won't change anything. Other DT members would support the flag, and it would remain active.
You have to convince half of the supporters that you are right. Only then will they remove their support from the flag. So as other forum members already mentioned, the scammers tried to get some money from you. I hope you didn't pay them anything. As for this case, you should use a mediator service if you have proofs.