Spot the Fake: What to Watch Out For
A screenshot of reviews on Lambency Detailing's business page on Sgcarmart on Nov 26, 2024. (Source)
In today’s digital world, online reviews influence nearly every purchase we make, from restaurants and electronics, to cars and services. But can we always trust what we read?
Recently, car grooming business Lambency Detailing was caught posting fake 5-star reviews on SGCarMart using ChatGPT. According to the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS), these reviews went as far as using real customer names, vehicle registration numbers, and even photos, without the customers’ knowledge or consent (Source: CNA).
This case highlights how AI can be misused to create convincing but false endorsements, misleading consumers and undermining trust. In this blog, let’s find out how to spot fake content online!
Why We Fall for Fake Content
When someone we trust or a review that looks “real enough” recommends a product or service, we’re more likely to believe it. That’s why fake reviews can be so powerful: they mimic genuine voices of satisfied customers.
Cases like Lambency Detailing and Loft Home Furnishing (earlier flagged by CCCS for deceptive reviews using real customer initials) show how unethical businesses exploit this trust for profit.
Whether it’s a company inflating its reputation or AI being used to generate glowing praise, the effect is the same: consumers are misled, trust is eroded, and honest competitors lose out.
Here are some tips for spotting fake content. Try out the quiz below. Can you spot the fake review? 🤔
Did You Know?
Businesses Can Actually Buy Reviews Even in Singapore!
Not all fake reviews are AI-generated. Some businesses go a step further and pay for positive reviews to artificially boost their ratings.
A quick Google search will reveal agencies and freelancers openly advertising “5-star Google reviews” or “review boosting services”, showing just how commercialised this practice has become. These services often promise dozens of glowing testimonials within days, making it hard for genuine customer feedback to stand out.
The danger here is clear: when fabricated reviews are bought and passed off as genuine, consumers are misled into believing a company’s reputation is stronger than it truly is, eroding trust and disadvantaging honest competitors.
Can you spot the fake?
Take a look at the two reviews below. Do you recognise the real review? 👇
Scroll further down for the correct answer!
The Double-Edged Sword of AI
Artificial intelligence has incredible potential. It powers tools we use daily from search engines and smart assistants to design software and even educational platforms. But like any tool, AI can be used for both good and harm.
At Coding Lab, we teach our students to become creators of technology, not just consumers. And that comes with a responsibility: to understand how tech can be misused, and how to protect ourselves and others.
You can read more about digital literacy through our past blogs on nurturing digital habits, understanding digital footprint, and cybersecurity tips!
Did you manage to recognise the real review? Here are some red flags to look out for in fake reviews!
How to Spot Fake Reviews?
It’s tempting to trust reviews when choosing a product or service. But here are a few red flags to look out for:
Oversharing details: Too many specifics about competitions, staff, or processes
Repetitive phrasing: Similar wording across multiple reviews
Many long paragraphs: Reads like an essay, not a quick parent note
All glowing 5-star reviews: No balance, everything looks “perfect”
Copy-paste tone: Different words, but same polished style across reviews
If something feels off, cross-check with other sources or look for verified reviewers. Trust takes time to build and seconds to fake.
-
Singapore’s Competition and Consumer Commission (CCCS) and Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) have issued clear guidance on how to approach online reviews with caution.
Here are some key tips from their official advisory “Consumer Tips for Online Reviews” (Source):
Approach Reviews Thoughtfully:
Look deeper than just the number of stars. Read across a range of reviews—both positive and negative.
Watch out for patterns: Repeated phrasing, similar names, or excessive use of buzzwords like “perfect”, “amazing”, or “worst”.
Check other platforms: Compare reviews on third-party sites, not just the company’s own page.
Dealing with Fake Reviews:
If reviews seem suspicious, do more research before purchasing.
You can report misleading reviews or seek assistance from CASE if you’ve suffered harm. Visit www.case.org.sg or call 6277 5100 for support.
By learning to look deeper, wider, and smarter, we can protect ourselves from being misled and help build a more trustworthy online ecosystem.
Awareness Is the First Line of Defence
Technology is evolving faster than ever. But our ability to think critically, ask questions, and verify information remains our strongest defence.
As we prepare the next generation of coders and creators, let’s also raise a generation of digitally savvy and ethically grounded individuals, those who don’t just know how to use technology, but how to question it.
What You Can Do
Talk about fake content with your kids and students
Model responsible digital habits
Report suspicious content to platforms or authorities
Stay curious, but stay critical
Let’s build a future where technology is used with integrity, purpose, and awareness! 💻💡