If you’re a business owner, what will you do if there’s an army of ‘trolls’ giving fake negative reviews about your business?
This is an interesting case of cyber bullying. Mentai-Ya Japanese Cuisine has been receiving threats and fake negative google reviews over the last 4 months since the opening of its Tampines branch.
After months of harassment by Google reviewers (Deon Goh, Eunice, Wen Bin Chua)
Mentai-Ya conducted an investigation and it led them to some shocking finds!
1. False allegations
On 25 July 2021, Mentai-Ya owner received complaints via FB. After some internal investigations, Mentai-Ya found CCTV footages which does not match those complaints. It turns out to be some false allegations.
2. Customer is ‘always’ right policy
Despite having video evidence refuting customer’s unreasonable claims, Mentai-Ya apologised and returned customers’ spending on that very day via PayLah.
3. Mentai-Ya’s investigation begins
Mentai-Ya felt something amiss. They did a search on the PayLah account. One thing led to another.
The following was what they have found during their investigation,
Further investigation, they found Eunice’s name appearing on a positive Ishiro’s Google review (Own self check own self?)
So, who are these people? Why are they doing this to other small businesses?
It makes us wonder if this is how big F&B players sustain their business, by manipulating the market using troll accounts and harassing their competitors.