Top restaurant owners blackmailed over fake reviews

Then a review appeared on TripAdvisor, and was clearly fake as the reviewer mentioned items not on the menu at Liverpool’s 8 Restaurant.

It said: “Wine list was very poor and very overpriced. Our chef Jake was fantastic but the lack of drinks choice and excessive price really lets this venue down, how can anyone warrant £90 for prosecco?”

The pair said they do not serve prosecco at that venue nor do they employ a chef named Jake.

One of the fake Google reviews was using a genuine person’s profile photo who actually lives in Kentucky.

The criminals had stolen her name and pictures, pretending to be her to post the fake reviews on Google.

Mr Morgan said of the scam: “I think this happens more, we are not just isolated.

“Unless we speak up about it, other people will bury their head in the sand, their businesses are going to get destroyed.

“The public gives so much credence to online review platforms and you have got these people trying to destroy businesses that are operating in a lifeblood of employment.

“I was thinking when is this going to stop?”

Liverpool-born Mr Sheridan, who has appeared on the Great British Menu and Come Dine with Me The Professionals, added: “There will be some people who will pay out of fear.

“We have got a lot going on, the stress levels are already high, on top of it we have got some plonker trying it out, you take it personally.”