Posted on 12/07/2009 2:45:16 PM PST by Star Traveler
by Greg Kumparak on December 7, 2009
As the old mantra goes, “Cheaters never prosper”. In this digital age, it may be time to revise that saying. Granted a veil of anonymity by the Internet, cheaters surely prosper from their cheating; it’s just that when they get caught, they go down hard. Alas, “Cheaters may temporarily prosper – but if they get caught, they’re totally boned” doesn’t have quite the same ring to it.
Such was the case earlier today, when the development company behind over 1,000 iPhone applications was busted scamming the review system. In a flash, the developer — and all one thousand of their applications — have been pulled from the store.
On Saturday, a friend of the iPhone photography blog Iphoneography reached out to the blog for a bit of help pooling details on what he believed was a review scam. While looking through the applications offered by Molinker, he noticed that as many as 90% of the reviews on some of their applications appeared to be written by a group of people who only reviewed Molinker applications. On Molinker’s “NightCam Pro”, for example, 42 of the 44 5-star reviews appeared to be fake.
Once they’d managed to accumulate enough data that the tomfoolery was almost undeniable, iPhoneography and the original sleuth both sent a 5+ paragraph report of their findings off to Apple’s VP, Phil Schiller.
At first, there was no response. Had their complaints gone unheard? Was Phil Schiller’s inbox but a brick wall in disguise? Then it happened; in the blink of an eye, all trace of Molinker was gone. Not only had the reviews been pulled, but the entire catalog of Molinker’s 1,011 applications had disappeared.
Schiller later responded via email, saying “Yes, this developer’s apps have been removed from the App Store and their ratings no longer appear either.” (There’s gotta be some joke here about Phil Schiller doing away with a mountain of shilled reviews, but I’m not going to be the one to write it.)
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a developer with many hundreds of applications in the store feel the crush of Apple’s banhammer, but it’s the first time to my knowledge that Apple has ever made a huge blow against review fakers.
A warning to any Windows developers (and their ilk...), don't try scamming the system in the Apple computer space...
A scamming iPhone app developer “canned”... :-)
“A warning to any Windows developers (and their ilk...), .”
Thats rather offensive
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2009 AT 10:06AM
Yesterday I was contacted by regular reader and someone who I consider to be an internet friend SCW, who had unearthed what he believes may be an AppStore review and ratings scam. The reason SCW contacted me, was he knew I have a couple of senior contacts with in Apple, and so wanted my help getting the information he had collated to them.
Having read his email (see below) I was also convinced there was something fishy going on, so between us we got this information to those who count, and last night (GMT) I got confirmation back from Phil Schiller that they would be investigating this possible scam.
The following email was sent by SCW to Phil Schiller:
"Attention Phil Schiller,
MAJOR FAKE AppStore Reviews & Ratings ALERT:
Please investigate for I have just looked at 44 of the reviewers who posted reviews for this Molinker Inc app "NightCam Pro" & EVERY Review except 2 of the 44+ are ALL FAKE 5 ★★★★★ reviews. (on my iPhone I could view more reviews but on my computer only 35 were visible & of the 35 visible 34 ARE fake). If you investigate ALL have ONLY reviewed ONLY Molinker apps. A little odd that 42 of 44 US reviews are poorly written & that all users have only written reviews for either All Molinker photography apps (giving 5 star reviews to 6-7 Molinker apps ONLY no other apps by any other developer) or the same 2 apps. 10 Reviewers who only reviewed NightCam Pro & ColorMagic (5 Stars), 24+ Reviewers have ONLY written reviews for 6-7 other Molinker photography apps (5 Stars) & 1-2 are real Reviews giving a 1 Star review & even a re-edited review by a user pointing out exactly what I am telling you (user formatt) is one of the two authentic reviews giving 1 star. It is VERY VERY ODD. This is absolutely fake, misleading & pushing false info to customers to buy their apps. One app "ColorMagic" is even on apps front page as an App Store "Staff Favorite" yet the reviews majority are FAKE (203) 5 Star & (91) 1 Star. I would also like to highly suggest to take a deep look into not only the "reviewers" but I will almost bet that all of these users redeemed "Promo Codes" for these apps in order to only access the US app store & publish these endless slew of fake postings. All to increase the developers ratings, status, sales & ultimately have a pay-off when potential customers see such high ratings & then just buy the apps. Then if any poor reviews are made they will be over shadowed by the unlimited amount of amazing 5 Star reviews posted by fake users.
* I have attached 8 desktop screenshots proving many points as listed above in visual form.
Now I must point out I am major user of the App Store & largely the Photography section. My iTunes apps combined collection is 1053+ apps at the moment. As well I should point out I have NOT yet purchased the "NightCam Pro app yet I was planning to when I unearthed this blatant SCAM. I even have been putting off buying "ColorMagic & "OOF" among other Molinker Inc's photography apps. As well I am solely the largest beta tester of iPhone photography apps. I many times give great reviews for apps BUT never will I ever give an app a 5 Star review if it is not worthy. I have NEVER been paid by any developer to beta test their apps nor any other type of payment for anything. I am very blunt & with my critique & reviews of many apps & my reputation as a true & honest person is always on the line. I would personally never jeopardize that for any developer nor plastering the app store with fake reviews. So this really disgusts me! Molinker Inc has gone above & beyond misleading they truly are stealing from the public!
This truly is an absolute disgrace & I will not let this go unnoticed! The public deserves to be aware of such a scam & ultimately legitimate purchases by users of any MoLinker app should be refunded. Molinker apps possibly should all be pulled & the developer banned & fined. If you would like my honest opinion & review PLEASE email me promo codes for all Molinker photography & photography related apps. I will be more than happy to give you my personal & honest opinion & review.
App Links:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/nightcam-pro/id340358605?mt=8
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/colormagic/id328630755?mt=8
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cameraplus/id338364196?mt=8
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ppt-gurus/id328626751?mt=8
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ecamera/id328033552?mt=8
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/portrait-studio-from-dragdragdrag/id329492234?mt=8
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/oof-camera-from-dragdragdrag/id329491028?mt=8
Then read all reviews & click on each reviewers name to view all other apps they have reviewed.
I think I deserve a investigations reward for unearthing this blatant attempt at misleading & stealing from the public.
I await your reply & hope this grabs your utmost attention. Every moment wasted will result in another user being mislead & purchasing an app due to false reviews & rating results.
I plan to have this email publicly posted for all iPhone users to see & make their own investigated decision."
I take offense to that!
.Net Developer and new Apple User!
that’s why I’ll never buy an Apple product.
My phone came with some software (I think) that lets me make a phone call. Pretty neat if I have a signal.
My phone came with some software (I think) that lets me make a phone call. Pretty neat if I have a signal.
What kind of phone do you have?
“Pretty neat if I have a signal.”
If you live in a major city you can get a signal. If not then you can use the thing for games and such.
>A warning to any Windows developers (and their ilk...), don’t try scamming the system in the Apple computer space...
So, because I develop software for Windows I’m prone to that sort of behavior? Interesting, I’d like to see your data.
(Unless you are purposely being on the same level as climate-change ‘scientists’.)
This is a precursor to all the fraud we’ll see once macs get more market share.
that’s why I’ll never buy an Apple product.
It's a good thing you're in the minority... :-)
Me, I’m thinking libel and slander.
This is a precursor to all the fraud we’ll see once macs get more market share.
Yeah, an unfortunate consequence to having some Windows developers show up for the party... LOL...
“Yeah, an unfortunate consequence to having some Windows developers show up for the party... LOL.”
Go back to the gutter with your friends. Accusing thousands of people of being criminals without a shred of proof is beyond distastful. So eat pig feces and expire.
So, because I develop software for Windows I’m prone to that sort of behavior?
One never has 100% of anything in any category. So, if you're not one of the scammers, that's good for you... :-)
So, what apps do y’all iPhone users have, and which ones do you like the most?
I have had mine for about 2 months now, and love the thing.
I have...
Call Of Duty, World At War: Zombies
Resident Evil 4
Doom
Doom 3
Lightsaber
Bionic Ear
Voice changer
Go back to the gutter with your friends. Accusing thousands of people of being criminals without a shred of proof is beyond distastful. So eat pig feces and expire.
LOL... I see you haven't come across what the Apple users know about Windows and their developers... :-)
For such a crappy system, it's no wonder that that sort of mentality will carry over into the Apple/Macintosh sphere... it's take a few years to straighten them out...
Don't you think that's a bit harsh?
Eat pig feces and expire.
better yet go have a love in with your liberal friends and acquire aids.
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