I saw that as well recently... They did not even hide it.  In fact, they are using all of their same characters etc.  It is almost like they took the mass exodus and just continued the story in a spinoff of the original.  I certainly understand why you'd be pissed.  As for me, I am just a little confused.  If they wanted to play the same PCs in a continuation of the story why didn't they simply keep playing in this storyline.  Doesn't make any sense to me.