Is it forbidden to make fake purchases of merchants' products to increase their visibility, in exchange for a commission?

"Phantom shopping" contains the meaning of both najash (inflating prices) and deception, which are forbidden. This is because it presents the item as something other than its true nature, thereby enticing others to buy it. Najash is when a man raises the price of an item without intending to buy it, but rather to make others follow suit, or to benefit the seller. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, forbade najash, as well as cheating and deception, saying: "Whoever cheats us is not of us," and "Cunning and deception are in the Fire."