Fake Review Watch

French Chateau Sues Google over Fake Reviews

The owner of Chateau de Balleure says Google isn't removing fake negative reviews about his business quickly enough, damaging his reputation. "What Google says and what it does are two different things," says Kay Dean of Fake Review Watch.

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Louis Rossmann Interviews Kay Dean

YouTuber, right to repair advocate, and data recovery expert Louis Rossmann interviews Kay Dean on the online review problem in general and Kay's research on fake reviews for WeRecoverData.

The Fake Review Industry: Worse Than You Think

July 9, 2026 interview of Kay Dean by Dmitry Lipinskiy of Roofing Insights. Engaging discussion on the massive problem of fake online reviews, the culpability of the review sites, and the effects on small businesses.

FAKE REVIEWS IN THE DATA RECOVERY INDUSTRY

Suspicious overlapping review patterns, AI-generated reviews, lifted profile photos, inorganic timing of reviews, and too many low engagement profiles—that's what we found when we examined Google, Facebook, and Yelp reviews for SALVAGEDATA, a data recovery company that lists locations throughout the US.

Toronto: Fake Google Reviews Direct from India

A network of Indian profiles is busily posting reviews for Total Home Windows and Doors in the Toronto area. You'd think Google would see the inorganic review patterns, the frequent profile name changes from Indian to Anglo names, the locked profiles to hide shady review histories, and the profile photos lifted from elsewhere on the internet. You'd be wrong. Google's policies and inaction are actually facilitating this fraud.

Fake Reviews for Nationwide Contractor

Evolve Construction bills itself as the go-to contractor for those whose homes have been damaged in storms or fires. But the company, with advertised locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, has a checkered reputation with customers and regulatory agencies. On top of that, Fake Review Watch research indicates the company's Google listings and Facebook page are littered with fake reviews.

January 16, 2026 report by Mary McCue Bell for the Washington Times. Online scammers extorting small businesses via 1-star reviews has become a major problem on Google. Experts, including Kay Dean of Fake Review Watch, weigh in on Google's inadequate response.

June 14, 2023 profile of Kay Dean by Stephen Council for SFGate. Tricked into using a medical practice by fake Yelp reviews, Kay Dean discovers the underworld of buying, selling, and trading fake reviews, and the culpability of the review sites.

Review Faking Down Under!

November 26, 2025 story by A Current Affair, Australia. Fake 1-star Google review extortion hits Australian small businesses, and Sam Cucchiara interviews one of the Bangladeshi perpetrators. Kay Dean of Fake Review Watch says Google is to blame, as well.

Pakistanis Extorting Florida Businesses with 1-Star Reviews

August 26, 2025 story by News 6 in Orlando. Several businesses in Central Florida have been targeted with fake 1-star Google reviews. The businesses are then extorted by individuals with Pakistani phone numbers who want payment to remove the reviews. Kay Dean's research formed the basis of this story, and she is interviewed.

New FTC Rule Cracking Down on Fake Reviews Falls Short

FTC lets review platforms like Google, Yelp, and Facebook off the hook

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Fake Reviews for Houston Dental Group

July 30, 2024 story by FOX 26 Houston. Google removed hundreds of reviews for a Houston area dental group for "policy-violating content." Why? "Because they were fake," says Kay Dean of Fake Review Watch, who published a report back in April on fake Google and Facebook reviews for the dental group.

Manhattan Surgeon Investigated by FRW Fined by NY Attorney General

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Sleazy LA Dentist Receiving Fake Reviews

The Today show on NBC airs a segment focusing on a Fake Review Watch investigation into fake Yelp, Google, and Facebook reviews for a Los Angeles dentist.

July 6, 2022 article by Megan McCluskey for Time. Consumers increasingly rely on reviews when choosing businesses, but they're often being deceived. Governments are beginning to crack down on review fraud, but is it enough? Kay Dean's work with Fake Review Watch is featured.

Investigate TV Digs into Fake Reviews

Investigate TV explores the growing problem of fake online reviews. Includes interview with Fake Review Watch's Kay Dean.

KNBC Reports on Fake Review Watch Investigation of Yelp Elites

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"Dodgy" Aussie Dentist Has Fake Reviews

Based on our research, Australia's "A Current Affair" aired a story on fake Google reviews for a "dodgy" Melbourne dentist.

NBC Bay Area story based on our research about Yelp Elites being recruited on Instagram to post fake reviews for cash.

NBC Affiliate WTHR Channel 13 in Indianapolis reports on a Fake Review Watch investigation about fake Facebook and Google reviews for an Indiana pediatric dental practice.

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation investigation into 1200 North American businesses getting fake Google reviews features Fake Review Watch.

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Kay Dean of Fake Review Watch leads Reveal's correspondent into the underworld of fake online reviews.

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Yelp Touts AI, Ignores Fake Reviews

Yelp has a new AI toy, but they're not using it to find fake reviews, that's for sure. Mindful Health Solutions, with psychiatric clinics in four states, continues racking up fake reviews even though Yelp says they're on it. Yelp Elites are even being paid to give Mindful Health 5-star reviews. Yelp's not looking out for consumers, not doing what they say they do, and certainly not using AI to clean up their polluted platform.

Yelp Abets Review Faking for Moving Companies

The feds are investigating moving companies that rip off consumers, but maybe they should be investigating Yelp as well. Four moving companies are receiving fake reviews across 14 Yelp pages. This case follows the trail from two previous Fake Review Watch investigations and media stories which Yelp belatedly acted on, but does Yelp do anything proactive? No. It allows the faking for the movers while consumers get duped.

Objection! Fake Google Review Network Boosts Law Firm, Bashes Animal Hospitals

Google is saturated with fake reviews. See what one network of fake Google profiles has been up to during a two week period. The same profiles are propping up Ohio law firm Patituce & Associates, an Australian hair salon, a Chicago moving company, a Massachusetts nail salon, and a Florida locksmith with fake 5-star reviews while simultaneously review bombing two Vancouver animal hospitals with fake 1-star reviews.

Exposing Yelp's Bogus Recommendation Software

You can't trust Yelp for reliable reviews, in part because of its bogus recommendation software. Why are reviews for different businesses by the SAME person simultaneously recommended and not recommended by Yelp? Hey Yelp, is this person reliable or not? Perhaps something else is going on here. . .

10 Reasons NOT to Trust Google Reviews

Fake Review Watch details the multiple reasons why you should NOT trust Google reviews.

More Yelp Elite Corruption Via Instagram

Online marketers use Instagram to recruit Yelp Elites to post fake reviews for cash. In a Fake Review Watch exclusive, a Yelp Elite provides details of how this goes down on Instagram. We then examine other Yelp Elites the same marketer is following on Instagram.

Network of Google Profiles Faking Reviews for Dentists

Hello, Google, anyone home? A network of Google profiles is providing fake reviews for businesses, including dentists in Texas and Washington. Mason Park Dental in Katy, Texas, Dentist Tree in Houston and Cypress, and dentist Dr. Addie Chang in Tukwila, Washington, are all receiving 5-star reviews from this network. However, Dr. Bill Pope, a pediatric dentist in McAllen, Texas, is getting review bombed with 1-star reviews from this same network.

Facebook Facilitating Fake Reviews for Pediatric Dentist

Smiling Kids Pediatric Dentistry in Indianapolis is receiving fake Facebook recommendations and Google reviews. A ring of offshore review providers operating in a Facebook group appears to be behind the reviews.

Fake Google Reviews a Global Problem

The worldwide ocean of Google reviews is rife with pollution. A New Jersey medical clinic, a German software company, an art gallery in Dubai, a UK flooring and furniture company, and a Pakistani logistics service, among other businesses, are receiving Google reviews from the same profiles. Some of these profiles are even using lifted photos of Hollywood figures as their profile pictures.

Bangladeshi Facebook Group Fakes Google & Trustpilot Reviews for U.S. Businesses

U.S. businesses use a Bangladeshi Facebook group to post fake Google and Trustpilot reviews. Businesses faking include The Center: A Place of Hope, a mental health facility in Edmonds, Washington; Southern California Pain Consultants in Torrance; and Rheumatology Therapeutics Medical Center in Los Angeles.

Who We Are

Taking the Fake Review Fight to DC

Fake Review Watch is run by Kay Dean, a former federal fraud investigator, who has conducted an in depth investigation over six years into fake reviews on Yelp, Google, Facebook, and other review sites. Photo by Lance Yamamoto/SFGATE

Taking the Fake Review Fight to DC

Kay Dean recently met with US Representative Jimmy Panetta to discuss the fake review problem, the culpability of the review sites, and the need for Section 230 reform. Stay tuned. . .