Overseas criminals hijack Google reviews of Middle Tennessee busines

[SheltieLover]

https://www.wsmv.com/2026/01/18/overseas-criminals-hijack-google-reviews-middle-tennessee-business/

*****Note: headline should be American businesses, as this extortion is not unique to TN!

For Context
According to reviewfraud.org, this extortion scheme is happening to businesses across the country, not just in Middle Tennessee. The criminals are believed to be operating from India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan

CENTERVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Overseas criminals are hijacking Google reviews of Middle Tennessee businesses, demanding payment or threatening to destroy online reputations with fake negative reviews.

Christina Dix, a Centerville wedding photographer, experienced the extortion scheme firsthand when scammers targeted her business last November.

“I have 187 five-star reviews,” Dix said of her photography business, Trace Creek Manor Photo and Video. “I was like, whoa, what is happening?”

Much more at link, including steps go take to get bs reviews removed.



On edit: link go Merchant Extortion page:

https://support.google.com/business/contact/merchant_extortion

[dalton99a]

1. Kick

[SheltieLover]

2. Thx!