These offers circulating in Telegram groups are part of an opaque rating system that is not only legally questionable, but also undermines the credibility of online reviews.

How does the Amazon item review business work on Telegram?

There are various groups on Telegram, so-called “product tester channels”, in which numerous products from headphones to sex toys are presented every day.

Rating fraud uncovered: The pitfalls of free Amazon items on Telegram - products that users should rate with five stars / Screenshot: Watchlist Internet
Products that users should rate with five stars / Screenshot: Watchlist Internet

The principle is simple: choose a product, buy it via your Amazon account, write a 5-star review and receive your money back via PayPal as a thank you. Sounds simple, but it also involves risks.

The risks of valuation trading

Writing fake reviews not only violates Amazon policies, but is also legally questionable. By participating in such groups, you not only risk losing your Amazon account, but also getting involved in further fraudulent activities. There is also a risk that personal data will fall into the wrong hands.

Beware of other scams

Some group members report additional tasks that the “agents” assign to them. This includes ordering and evaluating expensive products in fake shops. A tempting offer that quickly turns out to be a scam. Caution is advised here, because once paid, the money is irretrievably lost.

The legal consequences

The practice of buying reviews violates the law against unfair competition. Anyone who takes part in such practices may be committing a criminal offense and may be subject to legal action.

The big problem of fake reviews

Fake reviews are a big problem in online retail. It is estimated that a third of all online reviews are fake, influencing many consumers' purchasing decisions. Such reviews undermine the authenticity and trustworthiness of online trading.

Conclusion: Be careful with offers that are too good

The lure of free products may be great, but engaging in such rating practices on Telegram carries serious risks. Not only can you lose your Amazon account, but you can also become involved in criminal activities. Maintaining the authenticity of online reviews is crucial to trust in eCommerce.

Source: Watchlist Internet

‌Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date. Also explore our extensive media education offering .

You may also be interested in:
Online Reviews: Facts and Fiction
Heater Warning: The EquiWarm Pro Deception
Your Guide to Protecting Yourself from Fraud When Shopping Online

Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )