Fake Amazon reviews being sold 'in bulk' for £5 each, investigation finds
Sites are openly offering bogus commendations, while soliciting positive feedback in exchange for free products or cash.
Fake reviews for goods sold on Amazon's Marketplace are being touted "in bulk" for as little as £5 each, according to a consumer group.
Which? found 10 sites openly offering review manipulation services to third-party sellers on the retail giant's online platform, while also soliciting positive reviews in exchange for free products or cash.
The group said the fake review industry appeared to be thriving, despite the practice being strictly against Amazon's terms of use and in likely breach of consumer law.
But the rewards for businesses gaming the system are great, with Amazon Marketplace selling an estimated £215bn worth of products worldwide in 2020.
The coronavirus pandemic has also bolstered the online retail trade.
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For sellers looking to buy reviews there was an array of different packages they could purchase to boost their products on Amazon.
Starting at around £13 for a single fake commendation, there were also bulk offers starting at £620 for 50 reviews rising to £8,000 for 1,000.
Which? found 10 sites openly offering review manipulation services to third-party sellers on the retail giant's online platform, while also soliciting positive reviews in exchange for free products or cash.
The group said the fake review industry appeared to be thriving, despite the practice being strictly against Amazon's terms of use and in likely breach of consumer law.
But the rewards for businesses gaming the system are great, with Amazon Marketplace selling an estimated £215bn worth of products worldwide in 2020.
The coronavirus pandemic has also bolstered the online retail trade.
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For sellers looking to buy reviews there was an array of different packages they could purchase to boost their products on Amazon.
Starting at around £13 for a single fake commendation, there were also bulk offers starting at £620 for 50 reviews rising to £8,000 for 1,000.
Comments
Oh ya 12 days ago
Fake reviews to go along with fake Chinese shit. Go to a store and buy what you need and support local business
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