Scammers are targeting businesses with a new form of online extortion, using fake Google Maps reviews to pressure owners into paying ransoms. In response, Google has introduced a dedicated reporting tool to help business owners fight back and protect their reputation.
How the Review Extortion Scheme Works
Cybercriminals have developed a sophisticated plan that begins with “review-bombing.” Attackers flood a business’s Google profile with fake one-star reviews designed to slip past moderation filters.
After damaging the company’s rating, the scammers reach out via third-party messaging apps to demand payment. Their threat is simple:
“Pay up, or the bad reviews stay.”
For many small businesses, online reviews are crucial for visibility and customer trust. A sudden drop in ratings can lead to fewer customers, lost revenue, and long-term damage to their brand image. This pressure often pushes victims to pay the ransom.
Google’s Response to Review Extortion
Google has long maintained strict policies against fake engagement, harassment, and extortion. The company routinely removes fraudulent content that violates its terms.
Now, Google has taken its efforts a step further by introducing an official Merchant Extortion Report Form. This new feature allows business owners to report ransom demands directly to Google through a streamlined process, enabling faster investigation and removal of malicious content.
What Business Owners Should Do
Security experts advise that businesses should never pay extortionists or engage with them directly. Paying only encourages more attacks and funds further scams.
Instead, affected business owners should:
- Report the incident using Google’s Merchant Extortion Report Form.
- Save all evidence—including screenshots, emails, and chat logs.
- Notify local law enforcement to assist with investigations.
These steps not only protect individual businesses but also help Google track and eliminate organized review extortion networks.
A Step Forward in Digital Protection
This new reporting feature highlights Google’s proactive stance against online fraud and underscores the growing battle between platform providers and cybercriminals.
As scammers evolve their tactics, tools like Google’s extortion reporting form give businesses a vital defense against review manipulation and digital threats.
