New York City, November 7, 2025
Several businesses in New York City have fallen victim to a fraudulent scheme involving fake 1-star reviews, with perpetrators demanding payment for their removal. This tactic, known as ‘review bombing,’ has raised alarms among business owners, leading to damaging effects on reputations and trust among customers. Industry platforms like Google are implementing measures to combat this issue, while legal actions from the FTC are aimed at regulating deceptive practices. Business owners are urged to report such extortion attempts and preserve evidence for law enforcement.
New York City Businesses Targeted in Fake 1-Star Review Extortion Scheme
New York City – Several local businesses have fallen victim to a fraudulent scheme where individuals post fake 1-star reviews online and demand payment to remove them. This practice, known as “review bombing,” has raised significant concerns among business owners and consumers alike.
Details of the Scheme
In this scam, perpetrators flood a business’s online profile with numerous negative reviews, often fabricated and misleading. After inundating the profile, they contact the business owner, typically through third-party messaging apps, and demand a ransom. They threaten that if the business fails to pay, the negative reviews will remain, or the attack will escalate, further damaging the business’s public rating and reputation. This tactic coerces the victim into paying the extortion demand to restore their online reputation.
Impact on Local Businesses
Business owners in New York City have reported significant distress due to this scheme. The influx of fake negative reviews can severely damage a business’s reputation, leading to a loss of customer trust and potential revenue decline. The emotional and financial toll on small business owners is considerable, as they often lack the resources to combat such malicious activities effectively.
Industry Response and Measures
In response to the growing concern over fake reviews and extortion schemes, platforms like Google have implemented measures to protect businesses. Google has clear policies prohibiting fake engagement, harassment, extortion, and other harmful content. They actively monitor for, block, and remove violations. Additionally, Google has introduced a new way for merchants to directly report extortion attempts, allowing for swift action against malicious actors. Businesses are advised to report such activities using the official merchant extortion report form and preserve all records of the demands as evidence for law enforcement.
Legal and Regulatory Actions
Authorities have taken steps to address the issue of fake reviews and online extortion. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued guidelines banning reviews and testimonials attributed to people who don’t exist or are AI-generated, as well as those who misrepresent their experience. Businesses knowingly buying fake reviews or disseminating them are subject to penalties. Affected businesses are encouraged to report concerns to the FTC. Consumers or business owners can report fraud, scams, and bad business practices at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Background Context
The rise of online reviews has significantly influenced consumer behavior, making businesses increasingly vulnerable to online reputation attacks. The anonymity provided by the internet allows malicious actors to exploit review platforms for personal gain, often at the expense of honest businesses. This trend underscores the need for robust monitoring systems and proactive measures to safeguard against such fraudulent activities.
Conclusion
The extortion scheme involving fake 1-star reviews poses a serious threat to New York City’s business community. It is imperative for business owners to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities promptly, and collaborate with online platforms and authorities to combat this issue effectively. Consumers are also encouraged to critically evaluate online reviews and support businesses that maintain integrity and transparency.
FAQ
What is a fake 1-star review extortion scheme?
In this scam, individuals post numerous fake 1-star reviews on a business’s online profile and demand payment to remove them, threatening further damage if the ransom is not paid.
How does this affect local businesses?
This practice can severely damage a business’s reputation, leading to a loss of customer trust and potential revenue decline, causing significant emotional and financial distress to business owners.
What measures are being taken to address this issue?
Platforms like Google have implemented policies to prohibit fake engagement and extortion, actively monitoring and removing violations. They have also introduced a direct reporting system for merchants to report extortion attempts.
What actions can businesses take if they are targeted?
Businesses should report such activities using the official merchant extortion report form provided by platforms like Google and preserve all records of the demands as evidence for law enforcement.
How can consumers help combat this issue?
Consumers are encouraged to critically evaluate online reviews and support businesses that maintain integrity and transparency, helping to mitigate the impact of fraudulent reviews.
Key Features of the Article
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Issue | Fake 1-star review extortion schemes targeting NYC businesses |
| Impact | Damage to business reputation, loss of customer trust, potential revenue decline |
| Industry Response | Google’s policies against fake engagement, introduction of direct reporting system |
| Legal Actions | FTC guidelines banning fake reviews, penalties for businesses disseminating them |
| Consumer Advice | Critically evaluate online reviews, support businesses with integrity and transparency |
Now Happening on X
- @nycmaven44637 (November 7, 2025): Some NYC businesses targeted in fake 1-star review extortion scheme – CBS New York. View on X
- @CBSNewYork (November 7, 2025): One business owner said a fake reviewer demanded thousands of dollars in exchange for the deletion of the one-star reviews. @TimMcNicholas reports. View on X
- @typocatCAv2 (November 6, 2025): After receiving a wave of fake bad reviews, someone messaged claiming they were paid to post them and offered removal for money; this scam targets small local businesses by hurting reputations and demanding payment. View on X
- @LakewoodScoop (November 2, 2025): Local business targeted by fake online review blackmail scheme where sudden 1-star reviews from non-customers were followed by demands for payment to remove them. View on X
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Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewYork.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York, the five boroughs, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as New York Fashion Week, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Tribeca Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and United Way of New York, plus leading businesses in finance and media that power the local economy such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bloomberg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBuffalo.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into New York's dynamic landscape.
