A wave of 1-star reviews appears out of nowhere, then a message arrives on WhatsApp offering to make them disappear, for a fee. It's called the negative review extortion scam, and it's hitting small businesses around the world, from contractors in the US to a restaurant in Adelaide.
We're now seeing a quieter version too: 4-star reviews that ask you to get in touch on WhatsApp. Here's how both versions work, how to spot them, and how to get them removed, usually without any drama.
Quick answer: Don't reply, don't make contact, and don't pay. Report each review in your Business Profile, choosing Spam (or the closest option in your country), and report the reviewer's profile in the Google Maps app. If anyone has asked you for money, also use Google's extortion report form, with screenshots of every message.
How the scam works
The classic version follows the same pattern every time:
- Several 1-star or 2-star reviews arrive within a day or two, from accounts with no other activity.
- A message arrives by WhatsApp, email, or text, offering to remove the reviews for a fee, often payable only once the reviews are gone.
- If you pay, it often doesn't stop. The same people can come back for more.
It's widespread. In September 2025, ConsumerAffairs reported that a Los Angeles contractor paid USD $250 over two payments after a WhatsApp demand, and that one tracker had followed more than 150 targeted businesses worldwide. In October 2026, the ABC reported that an Adelaide restaurant had been emailed by a company offering "success based" removal after its rating slipped from 4.9 to 4.8.
The new 4-star version
Recently, we've seen fake reviews on our own Business Profile that take a different approach. They're 4 stars, not 1, and they read something like this:
"Hello Mate, I have to discuss an important problem, but you didn't give WhatsApp on profile, I am unable to contact..."
What we noticed:
- The goal is contact: the review is bait to get you to message them on WhatsApp. We don't know what happens next, and we don't recommend finding out.
- The same text, many accounts: identical reviews were posted from several different accounts.
- Hidden profiles: the accounts usually hide their contributions, so you can't see what else they've posted.
- 4 stars looks harmless: a 4-star review doesn't hurt your rating much, so it's easy to ignore, and it may slip past filters that look for waves of 1-star reviews.
The good news is that they've been easy to remove. When we reported them as Spam, Google usually removed them within about 48 hours, and emailed us to say "A review has been removed from your Business Profile".
Signs a review is part of the scam
- A burst of reviews: several reviews within 24 to 48 hours, often all 1-star, or all with the same wording.
- A request to make contact: the review mentions WhatsApp, Telegram, or "contact me", or the reviewer's profile shows a phone number.
- Empty or hidden profiles: accounts with no other reviews, no photo, or hidden contributions.
- No matching customer: Australia's Scamwatch suggests checking the names and details against your own customer records.
- Repeated details: the same text, profile photo, or phone number appears across different reviewers.
How to get scam reviews removed
- Report each review: in your Business Profile, select Read reviews, then Report next to the review. Choose Spam if you have it. In the UK and US, Google's list is different, so choose the closest match, like Fake or deceptive, or Low-quality information. See how to report a Google review, by country.
- Report the reviewer: in the Google Maps app, open your reviews, tap the reviewer's name, then More and Report, according to Google's help page. Sterling Sky notes this option isn't available on a computer.
- Report the extortion: if anyone has asked for money, goods, or services, use Google's merchant extortion report form. Include screenshots showing the date, time, and sender, and links to each review.
- Track your reports: check the status in Google's Reviews Management Tool. If a review stays up, you can appeal once.
Google says reviewing a report "typically takes several days," and it told the ABC it's handling a high volume of appeals, so it can take longer. In our experience, the 4-star WhatsApp reviews have gone much faster.
What not to do
- Don't buy reviews to bury them: paid or incentivised reviews break Google's rules, and can get your profile restricted.
- Don't make contact: Google's advice is "Do not engage with or pay the malicious individuals."
- Don't pay: Google says paying doesn't guarantee removal and may encourage more attempts.
- Don't reply to the review yet: local SEO practitioners report that replying can alert the scammer. Report it first, and wait for Google's decision.
Report it outside Google too
Extortion is a crime. In Australia, Scamwatch advises reporting scams to Scamwatch, and reporting threatening extortion to police through ReportCyber. Elsewhere, report it to your national scam reporting service or local police. If you've lost money, contact your bank straight away.
Bounce back faster
The Adelaide restaurant ignored the demands, reported the emails, and posted about what happened on Facebook. Customers responded with about 10 positive reviews in a day, and its rating went back to 4.9.
A steady flow of genuine reviews means one fake review matters less. See how to get more Google reviews without breaking the rules, and share your Google review link and QR code with every customer.
How RepU helps
RepU checks Google for new reviews automatically, and Pro's Insights show how each new review moves your star rating, so a sudden wave of fake reviews stands out quickly. Pro also includes AI replies and email review requests, for AUD $19 a month per location.
RepU's free Google review widget shows your latest 30 reviews on your website, with no view limits, so visitors see the full picture of what real customers say.
Frequently asked questions
Why would a scammer leave a 4-star review?
To get you to make contact. A 4-star review that asks you to message on WhatsApp looks harmless, and may slip past filters. Don't make contact. Report it as spam.
Should I pay to have fake reviews removed?
No. Google says paying doesn't guarantee removal and may encourage more attempts. Report the reviews and the demand to Google instead.
How long does Google take to remove scam reviews?
Google says reports typically take several days. In our experience, obvious spam like the WhatsApp reviews is often removed within about 48 hours.
Should I reply to a scam review?
Not straight away. Replying can alert the scammer, so report the review first and wait for Google's decision. If it stays up, a short, calm reply is fine.
What if the scammer asked for money?
Use Google's merchant extortion report form, with screenshots of every message. In Australia, also report it to Scamwatch and ReportCyber.
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