Dishoom’s Fight Against Fake Reviews
A Beloved Brand Under Attack
Dishoom, a popular Indian restaurant chain in London, has earned a strong following. Many locals and visitors from around the world love its cozy interiors, flavorful dishes, and warm, welcoming service. Diners rave about the soft naan, rich curries, and the smooth, creamy lassis. For years, Dishoom has enjoyed glowing reviews online. These positive comments helped build trust and drew even more guests through the doors.
But in a sudden twist, Dishoom found itself facing an unusual threat. In a matter of days, the restaurant was flooded with harsh, one-star reviews that seemed to appear from thin air. Many of these complaints lacked real details. Some attacked the quality of the food, others bashed the staff, but none felt like they came from true customers. Soon after, the owners received strange messages. The senders offered to remove these nasty posts—for a price.
The Evening Standard covered this shocking story. Dishoom, a place best known for its kindness and delicious meals, had become the target of dishonest scammers. These attackers knew that online star ratings hold real power. A few harsh reviews can scare away new customers before they have a chance to discover the restaurant’s charm. It is a cruel trick that harms both the business and its customers, who rely on honest feedback to make dining decisions.
The Real Impact of Fake Reviews
Online reviews play a huge role in how people choose where to eat. Studies show that about 90% of customers read reviews before trying a new restaurant. Even a slight drop in average ratings can mean fewer bookings. Experts say that a single star decrease can lead to a loss of up to 10% in sales. For a popular chain like Dishoom, that can translate into many empty tables.
Beyond the bottom line, fake reviews also hurt the staff’s morale. Chefs and servers take pride in their work. They spend long hours perfecting recipes, greeting guests with smiles, and delivering a top-quality experience. Reading fake, hurtful comments can be disheartening. It can make them question their hard work and dedication. It is like throwing mud at a clean window, blocking the view of what the restaurant truly offers.
A New Kind of Threat
The Scam’s Hidden Aim
These scammers did not just want to leave a mess of bad feedback behind. They had a bigger plan. After planting the fake reviews, they reached out to Dishoom’s owners. Their messages hinted that the bad posts could vanish—if the restaurant paid a fee. It was a form of blackmail. Pay up, and the attacks stop. Refuse, and watch the rating sink even lower.
In a world where customers rely heavily on online opinions, such a threat can feel like an iron grip. The scammers hold the restaurant’s reputation hostage. Dishoom’s team faced a tough choice: give in and support criminal behavior, or stand firm and risk losing future diners.
Not a Problem for Dishoom Alone
Dishoom is not alone in facing this type of attack. Across the globe, restaurants, cafés, and even shops have reported similar schemes. Online platforms try to detect and remove fake reviews, but the sheer volume of posts makes this challenging. Attackers know how to blend in, using multiple accounts and leaving vague, copy-paste complaints that are hard to track.
This is why many businesses turn to experts in reputation management for businesses. These professionals understand how to spot suspicious activity, respond quickly, and guide owners through the process of restoring fairness. As these types of scams spread, more and more companies are learning the value of having a strategy ready.
Spotting and Stopping Fake Reviews
Recognize the Warning Signs
Fake reviews often lack detail. They may use very general language. They may appear in clusters, with many hitting all at once. A sudden flood of one-star ratings, posted by users with no history or suspicious profiles, is a big red flag.
Customers can help by carefully reading reviews before trusting them. Check for specific mentions of dishes, décor, or staff names. Real diners often share personal stories or highlight unique menu items. Fake reviewers rarely bother with such details. By staying alert, readers can avoid being tricked.
Act Fast and Report
When Dishoom discovered the pattern, their first step would have been to report the issue to Google and other platforms. Review sites have policies against fake and harmful posts. They may remove reviews that break the rules. The key is providing strong evidence. Keeping screenshots, noting the times the reviews appeared, and pointing out suspicious similarities can help speed up the removal process.
Contact Local Authorities
If someone demands money in exchange for removing bad reviews, that is likely a crime—extortion. Restaurants can file a report with local police. While it might be hard to catch the offenders, having an official report helps prove the restaurant did everything possible to stop the wrongdoing.
Law enforcement might not always solve the case, but the report adds to the data they collect on these crimes. Over time, officials can become more effective at tracking these scammers and shutting down their operations.
Communicate Openly with Customers
Dishoom can turn this crisis into an opportunity to show honesty and openness. By posting a short statement on the company’s website or social media pages, they can explain what happened. Let loyal fans know that the sudden wave of nasty comments may not reflect reality.
Customers appreciate transparency. If they know a favorite restaurant was attacked by scammers, they may rally to support it. They might write their own honest reviews to drown out the fakes. Every real story shared by a true guest helps restore balance.
Encourage Happy Guests to Speak Up
A steady stream of genuine, positive reviews makes it harder for fake complaints to have power. Asking satisfied diners to leave feedback can push phony comments further down the page. Real voices stand out. They mention details like the smoky aroma of the black daal, the friendly server who suggested a chai, or the soft lighting that sets a calm mood.
Over time, a crowd of honest reviewers will highlight the truth, making it easier for future diners to trust what they read.
Use Tools to Monitor Changes
Many tools help businesses track their online reputation. Some send alerts when there is a sudden spike in negative feedback. Others can highlight patterns and warn owners early. Having these systems in place means a restaurant can act fast, reporting suspicious activity before it spirals out of control.
Looking Ahead: Fighting Back with Knowledge
The Dishoom case shows that even popular, beloved brands can fall victim to online bullying and blackmail. But it also shows that knowledge, speed, and honesty can turn the tables. With careful steps—reporting fake reviews, involving authorities, explaining the situation to customers, and encouraging real guests to share their stories—restaurants can reclaim their good name.
As more people learn about these scams, they will trust suspicious reviews less. Platforms may improve their tools to spot and remove fakes more quickly. Law enforcement might find new ways to track down these criminals. In the meantime, staying aware and acting boldly helps protect what matters most: a restaurant’s reputation and the honest, joyful experiences of its diners.
Dishoom, with its warm atmosphere, tasty dishes, and loyal fans, will likely rise above this challenge. By shining a light on these unfair tactics, we can all learn to spot the lies, celebrate truth, and keep enjoying the flavors we love without fear.
