Risk: Elevated

Delete one-star ratings for a fee? How money is made with reputation management

Category: Consumer warnings · Published: 13/08/2026 · Last updated: 14/08/2026

Summary

What is this about? Current fraud case, reported by Watchlist Internet. For details, see the linked source.

Who is affected? Consumers in Germany.

How high is the risk? Elevated

Why is this warning issued?

This warning was added because it is based on a report from Watchlist Internet. It is intended to protect other users from this scam. The classified risk is elevated.

How the scam works

A company receives a negative Google review whose origin cannot be traced.
Shortly afterwards, an email arrives offering exactly the removal of such reviews for a fee.
The providers name specific prices per removed review and often operate under international-sounding company names (e.g., 'Revieweraser', Cyprus).
Their own website is filled with numerous supposed customer testimonials praising the quick success.
These 'customer reviews' are linguistically translated but identical in content and supposedly come from completely different people in different countries – a clear indication of fakes.
The company is asked to pay, often without a clear service description or legitimate contract.
Whether the negative reviews actually disappear after payment is unclear – legitimate providers do not guarantee success.

How to recognise it

Shortly after a negative, untraceable review, a deletion offer arrives by email
Specifically named prices: €259 per review for ten entries, €289 for individual reviews
The provider is often called 'Revieweraser', based in Cyprus, and operates over 100 country versions of its website
All language versions contain identical customer reviews – only translated (example: identical texts supposedly from Vienna, Madrid and Helsinki, each from 'R.M.' of a dental practice, June 2026)
The team photo on the website is most likely AI-generated
No further information can be found about the alleged employees
Prize without participation or 'free' offer with data request
Advance payment requested for 'fees/taxes'

How to protect yourself

Do not pay prematurely for alleged deletion services – scrutinize their legitimacy carefully.
Report suspicious Google reviews directly through your Google Business Profile as inappropriate or fake.
Respond to negative reviews factually and professionally – this builds trust with real customers.
Secure all evidence: screenshots of the reviews, emails, and the provider's website.
For legal questions, contact a specialized law firm or your local consumer protection center / IHK.
Vet providers thoroughly: look for genuine, independent reviews outside the provider's own website.

What you should never do

Do not immediately respond to deletion offers or pay just because a review annoys you.
Do not react to pressure or urgency in dubious emails – legitimate providers do not set payment deadlines.
Do not share your Google profile login credentials with third parties.
Do not fall for fake customer reviews on the provider's website – identical texts in multiple languages are a strong warning sign.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to pay to remove a negative Google review?

No. Google offers free ways to report reviews that violate its guidelines. Paid 'deletion services' are usually dubious, and success is not guaranteed.

How do the providers know that I currently have a negative review?

This is unclear in individual cases. Possibilities include automated searches, tips from acquaintances, or a connection between the review and the offer. According to Watchlist Internet, this cannot be proven.

What happens if I do not respond to the offer?

Usually nothing happens – you can instead report the review through your Google profile or respond factually. Pressure attempts via email are no reason to pay.

How can I tell if a provider is legitimate?

Be wary of identical reviews in different languages, AI-generated team photos, missing employee information, anonymous legal notices, or a foreign domicile without clear legal enforcement. Look for independent experiences.

Who can I contact in a specific case?

Contact your consumer protection center, the IHK, or, in case of suspected fraud, the police. Specialized law firms for IT/competition law can also help.

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Original source

Find more information in the original source.

Watchlist Internet ↗

Update history

14/08/2026Description updated
13/08/2026Warning added from an official source