Low riskOnline Shopping

Fake Review Scam

In this scam, fake or paid five-star reviews and fake review websites make a dishonest seller, product, or store look trustworthy, leading shoppers to buy items that are poor quality, counterfeit, or never arrive at all.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Low risk
Scam type
Deceptive review scam
Main red flag
A flood of vague, glowing five-star reviews posted close together, with almost no detailed or critical feedback.
What to do first
Read a mix of reviews, look closely at the lower ratings, and check the seller on independent sources before buying.

How this scam works

In this scam, fake or paid five-star reviews and fake review websites make a dishonest seller, product, or store look trustworthy, leading shoppers to buy items that are poor quality, counterfeit, or never arrive at all.

Online shopping scams use fake stores, unbelievable deals, and counterfeit or never-delivered goods to take your money and card details. Fake sites often surface through ads and social media and pressure you with limited-time offers.

In short, the giveaway is usually simple: A flood of vague, glowing five-star reviews posted close together, with almost no detailed or critical feedback. Read a mix of reviews, look closely at the lower ratings, and check the seller on independent sources before buying.

Scammers rotate tactics constantly, the same operation may also run the Fake Online Store Scam and the Knockoff Brand Store Scam. See the full Online Shopping Scams guides hub, or test a suspicious message with the scam checker.

How to spot this scam

  • Many five-star reviews posted within a short time using similar wording
  • Reviews that are vague and gushing but mention no specific details about the product
  • Few or no critical reviews, or critical reviews that seem buried
  • Reviewer accounts that are brand new or have reviewed many unrelated products
  • A store or 'review website' that only ever praises one seller or brand

What the message looks like

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'Best product ever!!! Amazing quality, fast shipping, would buy 1000 times!!!' repeated by dozens of brand-new accounts within a single day, all giving five stars and almost identical wording.

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

What gives it away: A flood of vague, glowing five-star reviews posted close together, with almost no detailed or critical feedback.

The scale of it

Top category
online shopping is one of the most-reported fraud categories to the FTC
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
$1.4B
reported lost to fraud that started on social media in 2023, where many fake shops advertise
Source: US Federal Trade Commission

How to protect yourself

  • Read the lower-star reviews to see common complaints before deciding
  • Look for specific, detailed reviews with photos rather than short generic praise
  • Check the seller and product on independent, well-known review sources
  • Be cautious with brand-new stores that have unusually perfect ratings

Already responded? Do this now

  • If you already bought a poor or counterfeit item, contact the seller to request a refund
  • If the seller does not respond, open a dispute through the marketplace or your payment provider
  • If you paid by card, ask your bank about a chargeback for goods not as described
  • Leave an honest review to warn other shoppers and report fake listings to the platform

Mistakes to avoid

  • Do not judge a seller on star rating alone without reading the actual reviews
  • Do not trust a 'review website' that only promotes one brand
  • Do not buy in a rush just because a product appears wildly popular

Related scams to know

High risk Online Shopping

Fake Online Store Scam

This scam sets up a convincing but fake store with very low prices, takes payment, and delivers nothing, a counterfeit, or a cheap substitute.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Online Shopping

Knockoff Brand Store Scam

This scam runs a website posing as an official brand outlet or 'clearance' store. It sells counterfeit goods, or takes your payment for heavily discounted items and never ships anything genuine.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Online Shopping

Social Media Shopping Ad Scam

This scam uses eye-catching, heavily discounted product ads in social media feeds to lure you to fake or dishonest online stores that take your payment and deliver nothing, or send a cheap counterfeit instead.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Common questions

How can I tell a fake review from a real one?
Fake reviews tend to be short, overly enthusiastic, and light on specifics, often posted in clusters by new accounts. Genuine reviews usually describe real details, including some drawbacks.
Are fake reviews always positive?
Not always. Some sellers post fake negative reviews about competitors. The pattern to watch for is reviews that feel coordinated, generic, or one-sided rather than balanced.
Can review sites themselves be fake?
Yes. Some scammers create review or comparison websites that only ever rank one seller highly. Cross-checking on more than one independent source helps you avoid being misled.
What can I do if fake reviews led me to a bad purchase?
Request a refund from the seller, and if that fails, dispute the payment through the marketplace or your bank. Reporting the fake reviews to the platform also helps protect other shoppers.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.