CASE #001ONGOING

The Swiss Review Network

2024-11-15

⚠️INVESTIGATION DATA - Names have been changed. Evidence is authentic.

Summary

Investigation into interconnected fake review sites operating in Switzerland. Analysis reveals a coordinated network of review platforms using shared infrastructure, identical templates, and cross-promotional tactics. Evidence suggests a single entity operating multiple review sites to artificially inflate rankings for paying businesses while appearing independent.

Entities

ReviewHub Switzerland

Primary fake review platform

Contact:

SwissRankings AG

Shell company operating review sites

Contact:

Alpine Media Group

Associated marketing firm

Evidence

Shared IP infrastructure between review sites
Identical HTML templates across "independent" sites

Timeline

2024-10-01

Initial discovery of suspicious review pattern

2024-10-15

Identified shared infrastructure across multiple domains

2024-11-01

Confirmed financial connections between entities

2024-11-15

Compiled evidence package for authorities

Key Findings

  • All review sites hosted on same IP subnet
  • Identical WHOIS registration information
  • Shared Google Analytics tracking code across platforms
  • Cross-promotional content with identical wording
  • Payment processing through same Swiss merchant account
  • Bot-generated review patterns detected