Google Review Blackmail and Extortion

Google review blackmail involves individuals or groups extorting businesses by posting fake negative reviews on their Google Business Profile and demanding payment to have them removed. This is a form of online extortion and is a serious issue that Google is working to address.

SailBreeze is not an exception to this kind of scam, blackmail and extortion on Google Review.

Robin Eberbach has posted several negative reviews on Google and other travel platforms. He uses differant IDs to do this. He posted them on both our Yacht Charter Business Page and Sailing School Google Business Pages. He wants 3,000 Baht to delete all the reviews. He claims he ordered this on 'Temu'. We do not advertise or have an account with 'Temu'. He posted all these reviews to blackmail and extort money.

Most people just post one review, but he has gone out of his way to post several reviews under different ID's. It is a clear indication of how he tries to extort money from businesses.

We have reported this to Google for their necessary action.

Please see images below.

The Google Reviews on SailBreeze Yacht Charter

The Google Reviews on SailBreeze Sailing School

As advised, we have not paid. He later reduced the asking price down to 2,000 baht to delete his reviews from all platforms. We have not paid this either, nor do we succumb to any bullying.

We have also noticed that he has posted a review on Trip Advisor.

In Thailand, leaving a bad review is not inherently illegal, but it can become a legal issue if the reviewer intends to hurt the business as in this instant. Penalties can lead to imprisonment (not exceeding one year) or fines (not exceeding 20,000 baht), or both. Extortion is another matter. There are legal consequences for this in Thailand.

Please see more images below.

Here's how it works:

Fake Reviews:

Businesses are targeted with a barrage of fake negative reviews, often with no basis in reality.

Demands for Payment:

These reviews are often accompanied by demands for payment to have the negative reviews removed.

Exploitation of Google's System:

The perpetrators exploit the system by creating a sense of urgency and fear, hoping the business will pay to avoid reputational damage.

How to respond:

1. Report to Google: Businesses can report the reviews as inappropriate and potentially violating Google's content policies. 

2. Gather Evidence: Collect screenshots of the reviews, communication with the blackmailers, and any other relevant information. 

3. Contact Authorities: Report the incident to local law enforcement or cybersecurity agencies. 

4. Seek Legal Counsel: Consult with legal professionals to explore options like cease and desist letters. 

5. Improve Security: Implement measures to protect your online presence, such as securing your Google Business Profile and monitoring for suspicious activity. 

6. Educate Employees: Train staff to identify and report potential extortion attempts. 

7. Publicly Address the Issue: If the blackmail is public, consider issuing a statement to address the situation and reassure customers. 

Important Considerations:

• Don't Pay:

  Paying the blackmailers only encourages further extortion attempts and does not guarantee the removal of the negative reviews. 

• Be Patient:

  Review removal processes can take time, so be patient and persistent in your reporting. 

• Focus on Prevention:

  Implement measures to protect your business from future blackmail attempts.