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Viral social media posts from a disgruntled Zomato customer claiming to have received an AI-generated cake photo rather than an actual delivery have been exposed as false by the Mumbai bakery at the center of the controversy.
The incident began when customer Prateek Singh shared images on X (formerly Twitter) showing what appeared to be a cake decorated with an artificial image of cartoon characters alongside claims that the bakery had sent a digitally altered image instead of delivering an actual cake. His post quickly gained traction, with users sharing and commenting on the alleged deception.
“I paid ₹549 for this cake, and they just sent me the AI-generated image on WhatsApp,” Singh wrote in his viral post that accumulated over 100,000 views. The customer tagged both Zomato and the bakery, Cheesecake Republic, in his complaint, suggesting that he had been scammed.
However, the Mumbai-based bakery quickly responded with evidence disproving the allegations. Cheesecake Republic revealed that the customer had simply shared a screenshot from their catalog without ever placing an order. The bakery posted transaction records showing no order had been received from Singh, effectively demonstrating that the entire claim was fabricated.
“This is utterly false. You never placed an order with us. We’ve checked our systems thoroughly and found no record of any transaction from you,” the bakery stated in their response. They further explained that the image in question was indeed from their website catalog but emphasized that no delivery attempt had been made because no order existed.
The incident highlights the growing challenge food delivery platforms and restaurants face with false claims on social media. In recent years, viral complaints about food quality, delivery issues, or pricing have become increasingly common across platforms like X, Instagram, and Facebook, putting businesses in difficult positions where they must quickly respond to protect their reputation.
Zomato, one of India’s largest food delivery platforms, has been caught in similar controversies before. The company has worked to improve its complaint resolution system, but social media often accelerates disputes before formal channels can address them. The platform operates in over 1,000 cities across India and has expanded internationally, making it particularly vulnerable to viral customer complaints.
Industry analysts note that false claims like Singh’s can have serious consequences for small businesses like Cheesecake Republic. Nikhil Sharma, a restaurant industry consultant, explains: “A viral negative post, even if later proven false, can result in immediate revenue drops of 15-20% for small food businesses. The damage can last weeks or months, even after the truth emerges.”
The incident also points to broader concerns about AI-generated content and authenticity in online food ordering. As AI tools become more sophisticated and widely available, distinguishing between genuine photos and generated images grows more difficult, potentially creating new avenues for both misrepresentation and false accusations.
Consumer advocacy groups have called for more robust verification systems for both complaints and marketing materials. “Food delivery platforms need stronger mechanisms to verify claims before they spiral on social media,” said consumer rights advocate Meenakshi Gupta. “Simultaneously, restaurants need clear policies on using AI-generated images in their marketing materials.”
After the bakery’s response gained traction, Singh deleted his original post, but screenshots continued circulating. Several social media users criticized the attempted deception, with many expressing sympathy for small businesses facing unwarranted attacks online.
Cheesecake Republic has since received an outpouring of support from the online community, with many local customers sharing positive experiences with the bakery. The establishment, known for its specialty desserts, has been operating in Mumbai for four years and built a reputation for quality before this incident.
Neither Zomato nor Singh have issued official statements following the bakery’s evidence disproving the claims.
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16 Comments
It’s concerning to see how quickly unsubstantiated claims can spread online. I’m glad the bakery was able to respond and provide the necessary documentation to refute the allegations.
This situation highlights the importance of fostering open and honest communication between customers and businesses, even in the face of disputes.
Kudos to the bakery for providing evidence to refute the customer’s claims. It’s a good reminder to be cautious about taking online allegations at face value.
Hopefully this experience will encourage more open communication between customers and businesses to resolve issues before they escalate into public disputes.
While false claims on social media are concerning, it’s good to see the bakery take a proactive stance in addressing the situation. Transparency from both parties is crucial.
This case underscores the importance of verifying information before spreading it online. Viral misinformation can have real consequences for businesses and consumers.
While viral social media posts can be attention-grabbing, it’s crucial that people verify the facts before spreading potentially damaging information.
This case serves as a good reminder for businesses to be proactive in addressing customer concerns and providing clear evidence to support their side of the story.
It’s unfortunate that this situation arose, but I’m glad the bakery was able to provide a clear explanation and evidence to address the customer’s claims.
Disputes between customers and businesses can be tricky to navigate, but open communication and transparency appear to have been the key factors in resolving this case.
This highlights the need for customers and businesses to communicate openly and work together to address any issues. Jumping to accusations without all the facts can backfire.
I wonder if the customer was genuinely misled or if there was more to the story. Either way, a measured response from both sides seems the best approach.
Interesting case of a false claim going viral. It’s important to verify information before jumping to conclusions, especially on social media where misinformation can spread quickly.
Glad the bakery was able to provide evidence to clear up the misunderstanding. Transparency and facts are key in resolving these types of disputes.
The bakery’s response seems reasonable and well-supported. It’s concerning to see false claims gain traction so quickly on social media platforms.
This case highlights the importance of responsible social media use and fact-checking before sharing potentially damaging information.