A “disgusting” new internet page was set up as a forum for explicit sexual allegations against Angus residents.
The Carnoustie Exposed Facebook site, which pledged to publish “gossip and horrific facts” about local people, sparked a storm of controversy in the town.
Created on July 21, the page quickly gained more than 300 “likes” and a string of comments were posted by its creator.
The first read: “If you know anything about anyone, message the page and we will post it anonymously!”
One from the page administrator used foul language to warn anybody offended by it not to use it, before branding the complainers “retards”. Many referred to sex acts and one alleged a male user sexually abused his own dog.
The creator claimed they are only posting comments that have been sent to them by other Facebook users.
However it seems they encouraged allegations to be made public with one post reading, “Anyone got embarrassing pic of any friends send them in”, while another urged, “Get the rumours sent in!”
Another post targeted a female user, calling her a “female/slut/horror” before comparing her to Medusa.
A picture of Carnoustie Golf Links was attached to the page, while the profile shot was of a teenage boy in a baseball cap drinking from a bottle of Buckfast.
Angus Provost Helen Oswald, a director of the golf links, said the site “besmirched” the good name of the course.
Meanwhile Graeme Duncan, general manager of Carnoustie Golf Links, said: “Although the Carnoustie Exposed Facebook page shows the public putting green and the 18th green of the Championship course, it is not, in any way, associated with Carnoustie Golf Links and we are dismayed this picture has been used as a backdrop.”
Mr Duncan said: “The golf courses are public land. People can take photographs, and use them, without seeking permission from the Golf Links, which is what has happened in this case.”
Councillor Brian Boyd said: “It is absolutely disgusting and I know quite a few people have already reported it to Facebook who I hope will deal with it as a matter of urgency.
“These people posting this kind of thing should be watching themselves. Whoever instigated this could find themselves in trouble with the police.”
Facebook removed the page after The Courier reported it.
A spokeswoman said: “There is no place for harassment on Facebook, but unfortunately a small minority of malicious individuals exist online, just as they do offline.
“We have a real name policy and provide our users with industry leading tools to block people or report content which they find threatening so that we can remove it quickly.
“At Facebook nothing is more important to us than the safety of the people using our service. Everyone on Facebook from young people to parents or teachers has access to a set of powerful reporting tools.
“We encourage people to use these tools so we can remove content that breaks our rules quickly.”