Buyers and researchers use several methods to identify sellers who may have purchased their reputation: Feedback manipulation policy | eBay
: Manipulating feedback to boost Top Rated Seller status is a direct violation; if caught, eBay may lower your visibility in search results even if the account remains active. How to Spot Fake eBay Reviews
: Savvy buyers look for "red flags" like generic phrasing (e.g., "awesome," "great product"), reviews for items unrelated to the current listing, or a cluster of reviews posted within a very short timeframe.