Google Responds After Business Owner Targeted in Review Blackmail Scheme
Paris, France – September 24, 2025 – Jonas Weber, a business owner, was recently targeted in an extortion attempt involving fabricated negative reviews on Google, prompting a swift response from the tech giant.Weber received a message via WhatsApp from an unknown party based in Pakistan offering to remove damaging reviews in exchange for payment.
The incident highlights a growing concern for businesses reliant on online reputation: the manipulation of review systems for financial gain. While Weber acted quickly to report the issue to Google and believes his business hasn’t suffered notable impact, he’s warning other entrepreneurs to remain vigilant against such schemes. Google confirmed it removed the fraudulent reviews and deleted the associated Google Associés accounts used in the attempt.
Weber received the extortion message on his professional WhatsApp account on September 23, 2025. The message explicitly offered to delete negative Google reviews for a fee.Recognizing the threat, Weber immediately alerted Google, which then took action to remove the false content and shut down the accounts responsible.
“If you pay, we will delete reviews,” the message reportedly stated, according to Weber.
Experts say this type of blackmail is becoming increasingly common as online reviews wield greater influence over consumer decisions. Businesses with strong online presences are particularly vulnerable. Google actively combats fake reviews through automated detection and manual review processes triggered by user reports, but the issue remains a persistent challenge.
Maeliss Innocenti of 6medias first reported the incident on september 23, 2025, at 6:55 p.m. CEST. Weber advises fellow business owners to proactively monitor their online reputation and promptly report any suspicious activity to Google.
