PENGARUH FAKE BUYER DAN FAKE REVIEW TERHADAP PURCHASE INTENTION PRODUK FASHION PADA MARKETPLACE SHOPEE DENGAN TRUST SEBAGAI VARIABEL INTERVENING

This study aims to determine the effect of fake buyers and fake reviews with trust as a mediating variable on purchase intention. This study employs a quantitative research approach, drawing on a sample of 105 sellers from the Shopee marketplace. Data collection was conducted through the distribution of online questionnaires via Google Forms, with each question item evaluated using a Likert scale. For data analysis, the Partial Least Squares (PLS) method was utilized, and processed through the SmartPLS 4 software. The findings reveal that both fake buyers and fake reviews exert a positive impact on consumer trust. Furthermore, fake buyers and consumer trust influence purchase intention, whereas fake reviews do not directly affect purchase intention. However, trust plays a mediating role in the relationship between fake buyers and fake reviews with purchase intention. These results underscore the pivotal role of trust as a mediator in the dynamics between fake buyers, fake reviews, and purchase intention. Sellers should not only rely on short-term tactics such as fake buyers and fake reviews but also implement sustainable and ethical marketing strategies to build long-term consumer trust and loyalty. Keywords: Fake Buyer; Fake Review; Purchase Intention; Trust