"That's not how I would do it" generally is not the best way to respond to something you take as an accusation. Especially when you include a novel element in your protest, namely, the "have volunteers/virtual assistances create sock puppets" piece.

Firstly, because you don't want to share those kinds of ideas. Secondly, because you've added details to a story you're trying to repudiate, making it seem more likely.