Scammers Posting Fake Reviews on Our GMB Profile: A Case Targeting Digital Media Sapiens

 In today’s digital world, online reviews are an essential part of how customers evaluate businesses. Genuine feedback builds trust and helps brands grow, but unfortunately, some bad actors misuse platforms like Google My Business (GMB) to spread negativity and extort money. Recently, Digital Media Sapiens, a reputed digital marketing agency in Dubai, became a direct target of such scammers.

Scammers Posting Fake Reviews

Over the past few days, multiple suspicious one-star reviews appeared on our official Google My Business profile. These reviews were clearly fake, with generic comments such as:

• “Their strategies are outdated, generic, and had no positive impact on my brand.” – David Dave
  
  

• “I wasted months and money here, no real results and very poor communication from their team.” – Robert Johnson
  
  

• “Completely unprofessional service, they only made promises but delivered nothing useful for my business.” – David Rue
  
  

• “I don’t recommend.” – Michael Peralez
  
  

• “Bad service.” – Moore Jeen

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These names, as shown in our GMB screenshots, are not associated with any of our genuine clients. Instead, they are part of a coordinated scam.

The Extortion Attempt

Alongside these fake reviews, our team also received WhatsApp messages from a scammer demanding money in exchange for removing the negative ratings. The scammer openly stated:

• They had posted fake 1-star reviews on our profile and other businesses.
  
  

• They were demanding $200 as payment.
  
  

• If payment was not made, they threatened to continue posting fake reviews daily.
  
  

Screenshots clearly show messages such as:
“I have worked on five businesses and I haven’t received my payment, that’s why I’m putting one star. My payment is $200. If I don’t receive my payment, I have five businesses and I’ll keep putting one star.”

This is a direct case of online extortion where scammers weaponize reviews to pressure businesses into paying money.

Impact on Reputation

Even though Digital Media Sapiens maintains a strong 4.6-star rating from genuine clients, these fake reviews can still:

1. Mislead potential customers.
   
   

2. Lower trust in our brand.
   
   

3. Hurt our search visibility on Google.
   
   

4. Create unnecessary stress for our team.
   
   

It is important to note that these reviews are not from real clients but from scammers attempting to exploit businesses.

Our Stand Against Scammers

At Digital Media Sapiens, we want to make it clear:

• We will not give in to extortion.
  
  

• We are reporting these fake reviews and extortion attempts to Google and relevant authorities.
  
  

• We continue to deliver the highest quality digital marketing services to our genuine clients across Dubai and beyond.
  
  

Conclusion

The recent attack on Digital Media Sapiens’ Google My Business profile highlights a growing scam where fake reviews are used as blackmail tools. Scammers, under names such as David Dave, Robert Johnson, David Rue, Michael Peralez, and Moore Jeen, have left misleading one-star reviews and demanded money for their removal.

We encourage our clients and readers to be aware of such fraudulent practices. Online reviews should reflect real customer experiences, not be misused for scams and extortion. By raising awareness and standing firm, we aim to protect the integrity of businesses and the trust of customers in the digital space.

Checklist for Expats Renting in Dubai for the First Time

Dubai is an exciting place to move to. Its modern infrastructure and clean multicultural surroundings have made the city the perfect place for expats. However, to most first timers, it is intimidating to look for the perfect rental home in Dubai. With the huge number of properties, legislations, and manners of renting to navigate, a simple formula is required. It is a checklist that will assist first-time renting expats in Dubai.

1. Put Your Budget in Black and White

Determine how much you are willing to pay for the accommodation prior to proceeding with searching for Dubai apartment rentals. That is the preferred option by the landlords, yearly rent paid as a set of post-dated cheques, and thus liquidity in your account becomes a welcome option. Other fees such as security deposits, agency fees, bills, and internet charges need also to be factored in.

2. Choose the Correct Location

Dubai has various communities with different lifestyles. Expats who want the city lifestyle would want Downtown Dubai, while those wanting family life would want the likes of Jumeirah or Arabian Ranches. Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT) like ease and affordability. Your overall rental experience in Dubai is highly dependent on the choice of community.

3. Know Rental Laws and Regulations

The Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) oversees tenancy agreements in Dubai. New tenants must familiarize themselves with the Ejari registration process, which authenticates rental agreements and protects the interest of both the landlord and tenant. It is a requirement while signing any rented property in the UAE.

4. Visit the Property Wisely

Never sign a lease without first viewing the apartment or villa. Check for maintenance issues, the effectiveness of air conditioning, and facilities in the complex. If you are suggesting renting a high-rise rental apartment in Dubai or a residential villa, verify that the property looks like you have envisioned it before signing on the dotted line.

5. Negotiate Payment Terms and Fees

Even after rent fixation, ensure you are aware of the break-up of total charges. The landlords typically bear DEWA registration and internet charges, and common area maintenance will be borne by the tenants. Expecting sense now will avoid future unnecessary disputes.

6. Negotiate with Trustworthy Developers or Agents

Dubai’s real estate market is highly competitive. Partnering with a reliable developer such as Al Manal Developments ensures peace of mind when selecting your property for rent. Trusted developers provide transparency, legal compliance, and quality assurance — essentials for a smooth renting experience.

Final Thoughts

For expats, it is an easy task to get the appropriate property to rent in Dubai if you are well prepared. From planning and legal processes to choosing the correct community, with this checklist, you will be confident to start your new life in Dubai.

If you desire luxurious, well-manicured, and hassle-free options for Dubai real estate rentals, search for genuine listings with Al Manal Developments. Begin searching now at manal.ae and find the right property to match your lifestyle.