Mayank Sahariya

Ever bought a product online, convinced by its glowing five-star reviews, only to receive something completely different—or worse, useless? You're not alone. The rise of fake review networks is distorting the trust we place in eCommerce platforms. Behind the scenes, sellers and marketing agencies are orchestrating elaborate scams, using WhatsApp and Telegram groups to flood product listings with deceptive praise. From refund-for-review schemes to “empty box deals,” these tactics don’t just trick shoppers—they undermine honest businesses and erode trust in online shopping. Let’s dive into the dark underbelly of eCommerce and uncover how fake reviews are shaping what we buy.

Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting YouTube creators by exploiting fake brand collaboration offers to distribute malware. These sophisticated phishing campaigns involve carefully crafted emails that impersonate trusted brands, presenting enticing partnership deals. The malware, disguised as legitimate documents like contracts or promotional materials, is often delivered through password-protected files hosted on platforms such as OneDrive to evade detection. Once downloaded, the malware can steal sensitive information, including login credentials and financial data, while also granting attackers remote access to the victim’s systems. With content creators and marketers as primary targets, this global campaign underscores the importance of verifying collaboration requests and adopting robust cybersecurity measures to protect against such threats.