Imagine trusting glowing reviews on an e-commerce site, only to realise they were fake. CloudSEK uncovered a scam where fake reviews manipulate product rankings in India’s e-commerce platforms.
One mediator alone generated over 4,000 fake reviews in 3–4 months, influencing products worth Rs 13 lakh, with the overall scam value likely in crores.
These scams are run by “marketing agencies” partnering with sellers to boost product visibility. They hire mediators who manage fake review operations through WhatsApp and Telegram.
Participants buy products via affiliate links, post positive reviews without testing them, and get full or partial refunds. The process is highly organised, with mediators tracking transactions on internal portals.
Fake reviews mislead buyers, give unethical sellers an unfair advantage, and erode trust in e-commerce. Platforms face reputational damage, and regulators are cracking down under laws like the Consumer Protection Act of 2019.
CloudSEK calls for AI-driven monitoring, stricter enforcement, and consumer education to curb fraudulent reviews and protect online marketplaces.
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