Action Taken Against Lambency Detailing for AI-Generated Fake Reviews on Sgcarmart.com

(View media release in PDF)

1.      Quantum Globe Pte. Ltd. (“Quantum Globe”), owner and operator of the “Lambency Detailing” brand,^[1] has admitted to posting fake 5-star reviews on its Sgcarmart.com^[2](the “Sgcarmart”) business page for the last two years. This admission follows an investigation by the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (“CCCS”).

2.      CCCS commenced the investigation under Singapore’s fair trading laws in January 2025, following a complaint from a Lambency Detailing customer who discovered unauthorised reviews posted under her name on Sgcarmart. During the investigation, CCCS confirmed with seven other customers that fake reviews containing their names, vehicle registration numbers, and vehicle photographs had been posted without their consent.

3.      When confronted with the evidence,^[3] Quantum Globe admitted to submitting 5-star customer reviews using their customers’ information without their knowledge or consent. These reviews were submitted through a QR code provided by Sgcarmart.com, which allowed users to share feedback on businesses without needing a prior account with Sgcarmart.com, Facebook, or Google. Quantum Globe also admitted that it had used ChatGPT to generate customised review content based on services provided to the customer.    

4.      The posting of fake customer reviews by a business in relation to a consumer transaction is an unfair trade practice, as consumers might be misled into thinking that the product is more well-received than it actually is, and thus make misinformed purchase decisions. Quantum Globe admitted to engaging in such an unfair trade practice, and has given an undertaking to CCCS that it will:

a) Stop posting fake reviews;

b) Set up a feedback channel for a 6-month period to allow customers to report any fake reviews on Sgcarmart;

c) Notify customers whose details were used in reviews posted by Quantum Globe between October 2024 and January 2025, and inviting them to report any fake reviews through the feedback channel;

d) For a period of 6 months, publish notices on Sgcarmart and any online platforms used for marketing Lambency Detailing’s brand or services to inform customers that it had posted fake reviews, and alert them of the feedback channel; and

e) Remove any reviews verified to be fake on Sgcarmart within eight working days, including the seven reviews identified by CCCS during investigations.

5.      The director of Quantum Globe, Mr. Matthew Lim Jun Ho, has also given an undertaking to CCCS that he will not engage in any unfair trade practice, or facilitate any business under his control to do so.

6.      In response to the investigation, SGCM Pte. Ltd., which owns and operates Sgcarmart, has shared with CCCS that it is exploring additional verification measures, such as SMS or email confirmation, to further enhance the integrity and authenticity of submitted reviews. 

7.      “This is the second fake review case that CCCS has uncovered, and the first case involving both a third-party platform and the use of AI to create these fake reviews. When businesses post fake reviews to boost their ratings and popularity, they poison the well of consumer trust. Such deceptive practices, also known as “dark patterns”, not only mislead consumers but also disadvantage honest competing businesses. We remain committed to take firm action against businesses engaging in such unfair practices.” said CCCS’s Chief Executive, Mr. Alvin Koh.

8.      CCCS had earlier developed tips to help consumers navigate online reviews effectively, which is provided in the enclosed infographic. 

9.      Members of the public who would like to report cases of unfair trade practices by errant businesses may contact the Consumers Association of Singapore (“CASE”) at 6277 5100 (Mondays to Fridays, 9am to 5pm) or https://crdcomplaints.azurewebsites.net/.

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Encl. Infographic: Consumer Tips for Online Reviews

About the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore

The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (“CCCS”) is a statutory board of the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Our mission is to make markets work well to create opportunities and choices for businesses and consumers in Singapore.

CCCS administers and enforces the Competition Act 2004 and the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act 2003, to guard against anti-competitive activities and unfair trade practices. Additionally, CCCS ensures that businesses observe fair trade measurement practices by administering the Weights and Measures Act 1975, and ensures the supply of safe consumer goods by enforcing and implementing the Consumer Protection (Trade Descriptions and Safety Requirements) Act 1975 and its associated Regulations.

For more information, please visit www.cccs.gov.sg.

^[1] Car detailing services were provided through its automotive detailing centre at 53 Ubi Avenue 1, #01-31 Paya, Ubi Industrial Park, Singapore 408934.

^[2] Sgcarmart.com is a car buying and selling platform operated by SGCM Pte. Ltd. and Lambency Detailing’s business page is at https://www.sgcarmart.com/directory/merchant.php?MID=16742. See Annex A for a screenshot Lambency Detailing’s business page on Sgcarmart.

^[3] In addition to contacting customers to verify if they have posted the reviews, CCCS also leveraged digital technology and algorithms, which revealed mass postings of suspicious 5-star reviews on Sgcarmart on certain dates.