London curry house fined for fake reviews
A London curry house which falsely claimed to have won numerous culinary accolades including an AA Rosette has been prosecuted by Westminster Council.
The Connoisseurs Indian Tandoori in Paddington was fined £1,000 after its "flagrant act of dishonesty" was uncovered following an investigation.
The restaurant claimed to have won a number of awards, stretching back over 16 years, including an AA rosette and recommendations by newspapers including The Times and The Independent.
The Connoisseurs Indian Tandoori also listed a false recommendation by the London Evening Standard‘s food critic Fay Maschler describing it as the best Indian restaurant in London.
However, following an investigation by Westminster Council revealing that the accolades had been entirely fabricated, the restaurant was prosecuted and fined.
Owner Ebad Hussein pleaded guilty at Westminster Magistrates' Court to four offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations Act 2008 and was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3,000.
Brian Connell, of Westminster Council, said: "This was a flagrant act of dishonesty aimed at hoodwinking customers."
Clampdown on businesses that post fake reviews >>
Restaurateurs warned about bogus critics >>
By Kerstin Kühn
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