I don't think it does damage to Apple, or at least not to a level that would sway the cost-benefit calculation. As others have pointed out, these scam apps make

I don't think it does damage to Apple, or at least not to a level that would sway the cost-benefit calculation. As others have pointed out, these scam apps make Apple a lot of money, while they get essentially none of the negatives from it. I believe that most people will not at all attribute a negative app experience with Apple, and the likelihood that many will discover that other reviewers will describe that they fell for a scam, will make people also feel insecure for having fallen for a confidence trick (the fake ratings), aka con job.