Singapore's competition watchdog has taken action against a provider of fabricated online reviews and 45 local businesses, according to reports carried by AsiaOne and other outlets. The businesses were found to have commissioned or bought fake ratings to lift their online profiles, and some have since issued public apologies, AsiaOne reports.
The operation came to light through the Consumer and Competition Commission, referred to in coverage as CCS. Marketing-Interactive reports that one company, Burma Social, apologised after the commission uncovered the wider scheme. The Straits Times describes the action as being directed at both the review provider and the 45 businesses accused of fabricating reviews.
Coverage points to the scale of the practice. The Independent reports that six Singapore businesses were caught falsely boosting their ratings, with fake five-star posts offered at S$5 each. Malay Mail reports that the review outfit was found selling five-star ratings to 45 Singapore businesses.
The businesses that responded publicly expressed regret for their conduct, according to AsiaOne's headline account. The reports do not detail the penalties involved, and no full findings from the commission were available in the material summarised here.
What to watch next: whether the commission publishes its full findings and what penalties, if any, follow for the provider and the businesses named.
