Reviews
Review Extortion and Blackmail — "Pay or I'll Post Bad Reviews": What Indian Businesses Should Do
How to respond when someone threatens fake negative reviews unless you pay, give refunds or discounts — evidence to collect, how to report to Google and cyber police, and how to protect your profile.
By Chamko Research Team Updated 2 min read
Quick answer
Don't pay and don't argue in public. Save every message, call record and screenshot. Report the threat and any resulting fake reviews to Google through your Business Profile (report the reviews, and use Google's options for extortion/review-bombing where offered), and file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930 if money is demanded. Keep replying calmly to any reviews that appear and continue collecting genuine reviews.
Quick answer: Don't pay and don't argue in public. Save every message, call record and screenshot. Report the threat and any resulting fake reviews to Google through your Business Profile (report the reviews, and use Google's options for extortion/review-bombing where offered), and file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930 if money is demanded. Keep replying calmly to any reviews that appear and continue collecting genuine reviews.
Common patterns
- "Give me a full refund or I'll post 1-star reviews from 20 accounts."
- Groups demanding free food or services in exchange for "not reviewing".
- Messages from unknown numbers offering to "remove" bad reviews for money — after the reviews suddenly appeared.
- Sudden waves of 1-star reviews from new accounts with no visit history (review bombing).
Step-by-step response
- Don't pay, don't negotiate under threat. Paying invites repeat demands.
- Collect evidence: screenshots of messages, call logs, emails, UPI requests, the reviews with timestamps.
- Report reviews in Google: Reviews → ⋮ → Report review, choosing the most accurate reason (fake, conflict of interest, harassment). Track and appeal through Google's review management tool.
- Contact Business Profile support with your evidence if there's a coordinated attack; Google has dealt with extortion-related review attacks and may remove reviews or restrict new ones temporarily.
- Report the crime: National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) or helpline 1930, and your local police for threats.
- Reply calmly to visible reviews: "We have no record of this visit. We've reported this review. Please contact us at [phone]."
Protect your profile
- Keep your own Gmail as primary owner with 2-Step Verification.
- Build a steady flow of genuine reviews — a strong base absorbs attacks.
- Train staff not to respond to threats; route them to the owner.
Frequently asked questions
Will Google remove all the fake reviews?
Often many are removed once identified as fake or coordinated; it can take time.
Should I post about the extortion publicly?
Keep replies factual and short; don't share personal details or accuse individuals by name.
Can I take legal action?
Consult a lawyer; threats and extortion are criminal matters, and defamation remedies may apply.