University cheating mastermind Yingying Dou has responded to Fairfax Media's investigation after nine days, telling the journalists who uncovered the scandal to "go to hell".
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A message appeared on Friday morning on Ms Dou's MyMaster website proclaiming: "Go To Hell, Amy And Lisa".
It apparently refers to Herald journalists Amy McNeilage and Lisa Visentin, who investigated Ms Dou's operations.
The MyMaster website formerly allowed students to pay to have their university essays written by experienced graduates.
Up to 1000 students were known to have used the service, mostly international students who struggled with English.
Some paid up to $1000 to have their assignments completed my another person.
Ms Dou shut down the website after the Herald made inquiries.
As sole director of the business, Ms Dou turned over at least $160,000 a year from the cheating service.
She declined to answer questions during the Herald's investigation and has not responded to requests for comment after publication.
Ms Dou also runs the Yingcredible Tutoring college out of an office opposite World Square in the city, offering one-on-one and group tutoring primarily to finance and accounting students.
She has been absent from work since the Herald's investigation was published and did not appear to be at her office on Friday morning.
Two males at the office, who identified themselves as students, said they did not know where she was.
Tertiary institutions including the University of Newcastle and the University of Wollongong have since pledged to investigate the use of the MyMaster website by their students.
SMH