Latest news with #MatthewLim
New Paper
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- New Paper
Car services company admits to posting fake reviews on sgCarMart
The owner of an automobile services company has admitted to posting AI-generated five-star reviews on car listing website sgCarMart, said Singapore's consumer watchdog on July 3. The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) said it received a complaint from a customer of Lambency Detailing, a company which provides car painting and detailing services, after she found unauthorised reviews posted under her name. Following an investigation, CCCS found that seven other customers were also victims to these fake reviews, and their vehicles registration numbers and photographs had been posted without their consent. Holding company Quantum Globe, which owns and operates Lambency Detailing, admitted to submitting false reviews when confronted with the evidence, said CCCS in a statement. The reviews were submitted through a QR code provided by sgCarMart, which allowed users to submit feedback without an account on the car listing website, Facebook or Google. Quantum Globe said that the reviews, customised based on services received by each customer, were generated by ChatGPT. Posting fake customer reviews is an unfair trade practice, said CCCS. "Consumers might be misled into thinking that the product is more well-received than it actually is, and thus make misinformed purchase decisions." Quantum Global director Matthew Lim has promised that he will not engage in further unfair trade practices, said CCCS. The company has agreed to, for six months, set up a channel which allows customers to report any fake reviews that have been posted on sgCarMart. It will also publish notices on sgCarMart and other online platforms that it has posted fake reviews. The company will also notify customers whose details were used in these reviews, and remove them within eight days. SGCM, which owns and operates sgCarMart, said that it is exploring additional verification measures, such as SMS or e-mail confirmation, to improve the integrity and authenticity of reviews. CCCS chief executive Alvin Koh said that this is the second fake review case that the watchdog has uncovered, and the first which involves a third-party platform and AI. "When businesses post fake reviews to boost their ratings and popularity, they poison the well of consumer trust," he said. "Such deceptive practices, also known as "dark patterns", not only mislead consumers but also disadvantage honest competing businesses." Those who would like to report cases of unfair trade practices may contact the Consumers Association of Singapore at 6277 5100 during office hours or submit a complaint online.
AsiaOne
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- AsiaOne
Car detailing shop admits using ChatGPT to write fake 5-star reviews on sgCarMart , Singapore News
The owner of a local automotive detailer has admitted to generating fake five-star customer reviews and posting them on its business page on popular online car platform sgCarMart for the last two years. This comes after the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) launched an investigation into Lambency Detailing in January, following a customer complaint regarding unauthorised reviews using her name. In a media release on Thursday (July 3), the consumer watchdog said it confirmed with seven other Lambency Detailing customers that false reviews containing their names, car plate numbers, and photographs of their vehicles had been posted on sgCarMart without their consent. CCCS said it also used digital technology and algorithms in its investigations, which found mass postings of suspicious five-star reviews on sgCarMart on certain dates. When shown evidence, Holding company Quantum Globe, which owns and operates Lambency Detailing, admitted to having used their customers' information without their knowledge or consent to create the reviews. Submitted through a QR code provided by users did not need a prior account with Facebook, or Google to leave reviews on businesses. Quantum Globe also admitted that it had used ChatGPT to generate customised content based on the services each customer received. The operator has agreed to stop posting fake reviews and set up a feedback channel for six months to allow the reporting of any fake reviews on sgCarMart. It has also agreed to notify customers whose details were used in reviews posted by Quantum Globe as well as publish notices on sgCarMart and any online platforms it uses for marketing for a six-month period, to inform customers it had posted fake reviews and alert them of the feedback channel. Lastly, the business has also agreed to remove any fake reviews on sgCarMart within eight working days, including the seven reviews identified by CCCS during investigations. Quantum Globe director Matthew Lim 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, said the consumer watchdog. Second fake review case: CCCS SGCM, which owns and operates sgCarMart, has also informed CCCS it is exploring additional verification measures like SMS or email confirmation to enhance the integrity and authenticity of submitted reviews. CCCS chief executive Alvin Koh said this is the second fake review case the regulator has uncovered, and the first involving both a third-party platform and the use of AI. "When businesses post fake reviews to boost their ratings and popularity, they poison the well of consumer trust," he elaborated. "Such deceptive practices, also known as 'dark patterns', not only mislead consumers but also disadvantage honest competing businesses." The public can report cases of unfair trade practices to the Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) at 6277 5100 or 'Actively reviewing our content': Lambency Detailing In a Facebook post on Thursday, Lambency Detailing said it was found that the reviews had been posted "by a staff member on behalf of customers, without their explicit knowledge or consent". The detailer said it takes such matters very seriously, and that misrepresentation of customer feedback does not reflect the standards it strives to maintain. It added that it has implemented stricter internal controls and staff training to prevent similar occurrences and will continue to cooperate with the relevant authorities. "We are actively reviewing our content and strengthening our internal processes," said the business. "We appreciate your continued trust as we work to uphold high standards of service and accountability." [[nid:719148]]
Time Out
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Okiboru's head chef can't live without this particular dish
For the month of May, Time Out New York is celebrating the culture and contributions of Asian Americans across the diaspora for Asian American and Pacific Islanders Heritage Month. To that end, we are highlighting some of our AAPI vendors at Time Out Market New York. This week, we spoke with the owner and head chef of New York's popular tsukemen shop, Matthew Lim of Okiboru, about his comfort foods, which food across the Japanese diaspora deserves more shine and how he celebrates the month. What is your comfort food? Matthew Lim: Omurice. It's simple, nostalgic and reminds me of late-night meals growing up—fluffy eggs, seasoned rice and that sweet-savory ketchup sauce. Pure comfort in every bite. What is a cooking tool you can't live without? ML: Our noodle strainer baskets. It might sound basic, but getting the noodle texture just right is everything. We time and strain each batch with care to hit that perfect chew. What is a dish that you could eat every day without getting sick of it? ML: Tsukemen, hands down. Dipping the noodles and building each bite your own way keeps it fun and satisfying. The flavor profile shifts just enough each time to stay interesting. What is a Japanese dish that is overrated in American culture? ML: Overloaded sushi rolls. Sushi is incredible, but in the U.S., it's sometimes turned into more of a spectacle—piled high with sauces and toppings that can drown out the simplicity and balance that make it special. What is a Japanese dish that you think deserves more shine? ML: Tsukemen—it's ramen's bolder, often overlooked cousin. Our slow-simmered broth and thick, chewy noodles make it rich, layered and comforting. Once people try it, they rarely go back. How do you like to celebrate AAPI Month? ML: I cook. I tell stories. I invite people to sit, eat and ask questions. I believe sharing food is sharing soul, and that's how we honor our roots—with every dish served, we're keeping tradition alive and passing it forward.
