Singapore's Competition and Consumer Commission (CCS) has taken enforcement action against 45 businesses and a fake review provider for fabricating online reviews, in the watchdog's largest fake review investigation to date.
CCS's investigations found that Julian Tung Yan Kai, through businesses and websites that he owns and operates, had provided fake review services to approximately 100 businesses. He is the sole director of Reputifly Pte. Ltd. and owns and operates the websites BuyReviewSG and GetReviewSG, through which fake review services were offered. The fake review service provider admitted to aiding and abetting the unfair practices by generating fake reviews, recruiting and paying reviewers, and taking steps to make the reviews appear authentic.
The 45 businesses that admitted to purchasing fake reviews span restaurants, hair salons, medical services and law firms. Among the F&B names caught are Burma Social at 34 Tras Street — listed under its parent company Kuisine Koncepts Pte Ltd — which posted a public apology on Instagram and its website on September 30 acknowledging it had procured fake positive reviews; Torio Japanese Restaurant, an omakase spot at Pacific Plaza on Scotts Road helmed by chefs Jackles Tai and Steve Quek, creator of the famous Shiok Maki, which also posted a public apology; and Yaowarat Seafood on Lavender Street, operated by Sanook Group Pte Ltd, whose apology appears on the restaurant's website.
The similar name caused confusion online, with some netizens mistaking Sanook Group for Thai restaurant chain Sanook Kitchen. Sanook Kitchen subsequently clarified that it is operated by Minor Food Group Singapore and has no business affiliation with Sanook Group.
The apologies aren't posts the businesses can take down after a few days. The 45 businesses must keep them prominently displayed for six months on their websites, official social media accounts and onsite at their outlets. They must also stop procuring or posting fake reviews, remove existing ones and report their progress to CCS. Reputifly has committed to stop providing such services, publish a public apology for six months, and donate proceeds from its fake review services to charity.
Two of the 47 businesses investigated in the first phase declined to provide undertakings on CCS's required terms; CCS said it will continue its investigations and take firmer action if the facts support this. A second phase of the investigation, extending beyond the remaining businesses to others that may have procured fake review services, is ongoing.