Google Cracks Down on Fake Reviews
Google is cracking down on fake reviews by taking legal action against those responsible. The company has filed a lawsuit in California courts against Ethan QiQi Hu, GMBEye, Rafadigital, LLC, and Doe. The legal action is aimed at stopping these entities from creating deceptive, legitimate-looking businesses with high reviews to sell to unsuspecting customers.
Fake reviews have long been a thorn in the side of consumers, often fostering a false sense of confidence in a product or service. Some individuals earn a living by writing reviews for products and services they’ve never used, misleading potential customers into thinking they’re about to make a wise purchase, only to be disappointed when the product or service fails to live up to the hype.
Ethan QiQi Hu is accused of creating and listing over 350 fake business profiles on Google platforms, complete with more than 14,000 false reviews. These are then sold to real businesses to attract unsuspecting customers. Some of the fake business profiles include listings for garage repair, tree cutting, plumbing, and even “essential oils for verifying fake aromatherapy and reiki therapy” businesses.
Google’s lawsuit alleges that over the past two years, the defendants, led primarily by Ethan QiQi Hu, have misused Google products to create fake online listings for non-existent businesses, and to support them with fake reviews from non-existent people. These listings and the inquiries from confused customers that they attract are then sold to individuals and entities aiming to promote their businesses on Google platforms.
The defendants are also accused of using Google to scam consumers and harm small businesses by making unsubstantiated and impossible claims about their ability to guarantee a favorable position in Google’s search results, implying preferential treatment or access to certain Google processes.
Ethan QiQi Hu is listed as the owner of GMBEye and Rafadigital, as well as their registered agent and manager. As for Doe, Google has yet to identify the names and positions of those involved and is suing the entity under “fictitious names” until such information is uncovered.
Google aims to prevent Ethan QiQi Hu from continuing his scam and is seeking unspecified monetary damages. The accused has yet to make a statement on the matter.
