Fiverr Account Manipulation Allegations: Serious Claims Surface Around Betopia

A series of allegations involving account manipulation, fake orders and attempts to undermine competing freelancers has emerged around Bangladeshi technology company Betopia Group on the international freelancing marketplace Fiverr.

The allegations include using employees’ identity documents to create Fiverr accounts, managing multiple accounts and placing orders that were later cancelled or refunded, potentially affecting the performance and ranking of competing freelancers. Recent investigative reports have brought the allegations into focus, while Fiverr has separately reiterated its strict policies against account manipulation and fake reviews.

Around 300 Accounts Suspended
According to an investigative report by Prothom Alo, nearly 300 Fiverr accounts linked to Betopia were suspended toward the end of July after complaints from Bangladeshi freelancers. The report also said several thousand other accounts associated with the company had come under monitoring and investigation.

Fiverr’s policies prohibit operating accounts under false identities, maintaining multiple accounts in ways that manipulate the platform, and artificially influencing ratings or reviews. Depending on the severity of a violation, the platform may restrict or permanently suspend accounts.

Allegations of Using Employees’ Identity Documents
Former employees reportedly alleged that people were recruited through job advertisements published under different company names and that their passports and national identity cards were collected after joining.

The allegations state that some of these identity details were subsequently used to create Fiverr accounts without the employees’ knowledge, with the accounts remaining under company control. Those accounts were allegedly used for communicating with clients, bidding for jobs and conducting marketplace activities.

Betopia has not provided a detailed public response to these allegations in the reports reviewed.

Alleged Fake Orders Targeting Competitors
Another major allegation concerns the use of multiple accounts to place orders on competitors’ Fiverr gigs and subsequently cancel or refund those orders. Complainants say such activity could negatively affect a freelancer’s performance metrics and marketplace ranking.

Fiverr’s policies specifically prohibit attempts to artificially manipulate ratings or levels and the use of multiple accounts to influence the platform’s feedback system.

One freelancer alleged that two orders suddenly appeared on his account and were cancelled shortly afterward. He claimed that his subsequent investigation linked the orders to accounts operated by employees of a company associated with Betopia.

Employment-Related Allegations
Former employees have also raised allegations concerning recruitment and termination practices. Some claimed that fresh graduates were recruited as trainees or interns and that a significant number of employees were dismissed after only one or two months.

According to the former employees, performance or evaluation scores were sometimes cited as reasons for termination, although the evaluation criteria were not clearly communicated in advance.

One former employee also alleged harassment after raising questions about the use of workers’ identity documents. These allegations have not been independently established.

Fiverr’s Policy Position
Fiverr’s current policies prohibit fake identities, multiple-account manipulation, feedback manipulation and artificial attempts to influence ratings or marketplace performance. The platform says it may restrict accounts, remove content or permanently suspend accounts when serious or repeated violations are identified.

Its Community Standards also prohibit fake reviews and artificial engagement intended to distort trust or fair competition on the platform.

Betopia Yet to Respond
Betopia Group CEO Monir Hossain reportedly asked for the allegations to be sent by email. Questions were subsequently sent, but no detailed response was received within the stated timeframe. The company’s PR and media spokesperson, Tanuvirul Islam, reportedly acknowledged receiving the questions and said a response would be provided within seven working days.

Industry stakeholders say allegations involving identity misuse, fake accounts and artificial orders warrant proper investigation and evidence-based action. They also stress the importance of preventing individual or company-level misconduct from undermining the reputation of legitimate Bangladeshi freelancers in the global marketplace.