By Jeremy Finley
Publication Date: 2026-01-18 17:16:00
What This Story Is About
- Overseas criminals are targeting Middle Tennessee businesses with an extortion scheme that hijacks Google reviews.
Why It Matters
- Google reviews directly impact a business’s reputation and revenue. For small businesses like wedding photographers, restaurants, and service providers, online reviews can make or break their livelihood.
What Happens Next
- Business owners who experience this extortion can report fake reviews to Google through a specific form linked at the end of this story.
For Context
- According to reviewfraud.org, this extortion scheme is happening to businesses across the country, not just in Middle Tennessee. The criminals are believed to be operating from India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
CENTERVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Overseas criminals are hijacking Google reviews of Middle Tennessee businesses, demanding payment or threatening to destroy online reputations with fake negative reviews.
Christina Hix, a Centerville wedding photographer, experienced the…
