Banning

Please don't spread bullshit, and no, recently (past few months) bans will be lifted if you're a first timer, but you do need to contact support and admit your fault etc etc. However, if you're caught for the 2nd time, then its almost certainly a permanent ban.

Source? Ask drybowser, infrain, and florian. People they've gotten ban are unbanned within a week or two.

As a person who has been banned, I can confirm what people have already said.

The bans are permanent but if it's your first time and you send a message to them then they might lift your ban.
But they do tell you that if you get banned again, it will be permanent.

They don't unban for duping though, if that ever happens again...