A businessman set up a fake restaurant with glowing reviews in a bid to expose
the apparent failings of the TripAdvisor website, prompting baffled
customers to be led down a backstreet alleyway.
Oscar’s was billed as having “amazing” and “mind blowing” Michelin-stared
food, built in the hull of an old fishing boat amid reefs and shipwrecks in
Brixham, Devon.
The profile on TripAdvisor claimed staff in diving gear would swim to catch
whichever fish the customer desired as part of the service.
Fake reviews dating back three months said Oscar’s – apparently run by a
couple called Colette and Alfredo, with food and décor based on the
world-famous Spanish restaurant elBulli – said the cooking was “simply
divine” and “bordered on sorcery”.
But diners were left disappointed when they arrived at a disused alleyway full
of rubbish bins.
Oscar’s creator, who uses the name Oscar Parrot, said he posted the reviews on the site after a friend's hotel received a barrage of criticism that he suspected was from a rival hotelier.
Source: telegraph.co.uk
Oscar’s creator, who uses the name Oscar Parrot, said he posted the reviews on the site after a friend's hotel received a barrage of criticism that he suspected was from a rival hotelier.
Source: telegraph.co.uk
