After providing AppSally with a link to their product, the sellers would ship out empty boxes and provide AppSally with photos to be included with a user's review. Sellers would allegedly pay for the service with the hope that it boosted their product in Amazon search results. AppSally's website allegedly promised sellers they'd be able to"outrank your competitors from your bedroom," according to the complaint.
Similarly, Rebatest offered sellers a cache of reviews and other services to manipulate their product rankings, the suit alleges. Users would place an order for a product on Amazon and leave a review. Rebatest allegedly refunded a users' purchase through services like PayPal. Amazon seeks unspecified damages in both complaints, as well as an injunction from the companies that would bar them from selling or facilitating the sale of Amazon reviews.
Amazon is taking many steps to try and cut down on fake reviews and other fraud, including investments in machine learning tools and human moderators. It's also asked other social media companies to step in and assist, as fake review communities have cropped up in Facebook groups and in messaging apps like Telegram, WhatsApp and WeChat.