The above image, which shows a Chinese lady sitting in front of hundreds of iPhone 5cs’, has gone viral on Chinese social media websites. The image shows how the Chinese are gaming the rating system of the App Store. 

While the source and authenticity of the image could not be confirmed, it is speculated that the lady in the picture is a part of the app manipulation farm in China. Apparently, she downloads and install apps and games from developers who have paid to avail the firm’s service, rates and then uninstall them repeatedly to boost their ratings in the App Store.

The image is accompanied by another photo in some websites that list the prices to avail the service. According to the picture, getting your app in the top 10 free apps list in the App Store will cost you RMB 70,000 (US$ 11,200), while making sure it remains there will cost you a staggering RMB 405,000 (US$ 65,000) every week.

According to TechInAsia, a search for “app store ranking manipulation” on one of China’s most popular C2C ecommerce — Taobao — shows hundreds of firms offering services to boost the App Store ratings of iOS App, though the price is listed as 1 RMB.

Are you an app developer who has used the services of such Chinese firms or were you approached by them? Drop in your comment and let us know your experience.