Dubai Police arrest group for posting fake Google reviews to harm business
Dubai Police arrested a group accused of coordinating fake negative Google reviews to damage a company's reputation. Legal experts warn UAE residents that defamatory online reviews can lead to fines and jail.
Fake Google reviews lead to arrests and legal warnings in Dubai
Dubai Police have arrested a group of individuals accused of posting fabricated negative reviews on a company's Google Maps page in a coordinated effort to harm its business, thenationalnews.com reports. An investigation launched after the targeted company filed a formal complaint found that several commercial shops had formed organised groups to publish false and damaging content.
Maj Yasser Juma Mohammed, head of the Social Media Crimes Section at Dubai Police, said consumers are entitled to share genuine experiences online, but their comments must not harm others or their commercial interests. He drew a clear distinction between an honest negative review and content that crosses into insult or defamation.
Legal consequences for fake or defamatory reviews
Nikhat Sardar Khan, a litigation lawyer in Dubai, said insulting, misleading or malicious reviews can expose the writer to criminal and civil liability. "Online defamation is considered more harmful as it can cause lasting damage because it can be saved, shared and viewed long after it was first published," she said.
Ludmila Yamalova of law firm Lylaw added that removing a review does not erase legal exposure. "Deleting a review does not automatically eliminate legal liability. Once a statement is published, the offence may have occurred. Screenshots, platform records, or other electronic evidence may preserve the original content," she said.
Under Article 43 of the UAE Cybercrimes Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021), online insults and statements that expose others to punishment or public contempt carry criminal penalties. These can include fines ranging from AED 250,000 to AED 500,000 and/or imprisonment. An affected party may also pursue a separate civil claim for compensation.
The UAE cybercrime law further prohibits spreading false information. Violators face a minimum of one year in prison and a fine of at least AED 100,000. Those penalties rise to two years in jail and a minimum fine of AED 200,000 if the offence is committed during a declared emergency or crisis.
Where criticism ends and defamation begins
Legal experts stress that the boundary between lawful criticism and unlawful defamation is not always straightforward. Yamalova noted: "Negative reviews are not illegal in the UAE. However, the distinction between legitimate criticism and unlawful defamation is not always clear-cut, and is more nuanced."
Saying a restaurant's service was slow or that a product failed to meet expectations differs significantly from accusing a business of fraud or insulting its staff. Khan explained that defamatory reviews go beyond opinion or criticism by containing false statements, and that "businesses and individuals can sue for defamation if they can prove that the statements have caused harm or tangible damage."
A complaint alone does not establish criminal liability, which depends on the specific statements made, the circumstances, and applicable legal requirements.
Real impact on small businesses and consumers
For small businesses, even a handful of fake reviews can inflict lasting reputational damage. Apple Gawaran, a Dubai-based content creator who runs a personalised 3D-printed gifts business, said the issue is personal. "One fake review can create unnecessary negativity and potentially influence people who have never even experienced the business," she said. Gawaran acknowledged that customers should share honest feedback — positive or negative — but emphasised the clear difference between genuine criticism and deliberately posting false information to cause harm.
Amreen Iqbal, founder of jewellery brand Piece of You, said fake reviews sow doubt among potential customers who rely on online feedback when selecting gifts. "When someone posts a review about an experience they never had, it creates confusion and doubt," she said. Staff at Mövenpick JLT raised a parallel concern, noting that fabricated reviews can mislead families planning holidays and business travellers booking accommodation whilst unfairly penalising the employees behind the service.
Advice for consumers
Yamalova urged consumers to focus on facts rather than accusations, to criticise a product or service rather than an individual, and to avoid inflammatory language, personal insults, and unsupported allegations. "Consider whether the review aims to share a genuine experience or cause harm," she said. "Negative reviews are a legitimate part of consumer feedback. But in the UAE, approach them thoughtfully, recognising that even an honestly held grievance does not automatically protect you from legal liability."
Khan pointed to Consumer Protection law as an alternative avenue for resolving disputes. The law gives consumers the right to fair treatment, accurate information, and compensation for damage caused by defective products or poor service. Pursuing a formal complaint under this framework, experts say, is a more effective remedy than posting a negative review online.
Source: Google News UAE — Dubai