Beware of e-mails from "A. Nikitakis, MSc, Ph.D" inviting for the so-called World Congress On Psychological Science (https://conferences.spg.ltd/wcps/), which will supposedly be held on November 9, 2019 in Vienna, Austria. It comes from the fraudulent Science Publishing Group Ltd.
One needs to register in order to be able to download the congress brochure, which is ridiculous.
They only want your "registration" fee (and it is not cheap!). Just another scam.
Naturally and obviously, this (SPG) is NOT an Austrian organizer or Organisation inviting people - be they either 'naïf' or just looking for "a short holiday/vacation/sightseeing trip" to Vienna.
(Not all bad at the moment if you read from "Austria"! Most of our citizens and companies are friendly and kind - least no ultra-right "man-eaters" --- and safe for consumers of any supply of services )
"SPG" (SCIENCE PUBLISHING GROUP) has been multiply accused to be a predatory organizer of at least "dubuious" if not fake congresses, symposia and people should know about that fact already. Nevertheless it is necessary to warn others every time such e-mails arrive...and - as all of you know - if you are doubting a source to be true / reliable / trustworthy (journals, publishers, 'congress organizers' you are friendliest pointed to visit the DOLOS list of Prof. Alexandre Georges (= cf: https://www.professeur-alexandre-georges.info/dolos-list ),
where (using the computer's search function by clicking the two pushbuttons "CTRL & F" and inserting the name or [key-]word under suspicion and see the results found) SPG already is listed (and warned to use their link
Interesting the fact, that a website owner / organisation with a very similar name (instead SCIENCE PUBLISHING GROUP: GLOBAL Science Publishing Group), with their website: http://globalsciencepg.org/ state
( quote: )
"© 2015 Global Science Publishing Group, United States of America. All Rights Reserved. Our Partners: CrossRef, DOIJ, ISI, google scholar and Research Gate..."
Since GSPG/Global Science Publishing Group also is listed in the DOLOS LIST (with a lot of their "journals" like INT.J.of RES & APPLICations, http://ijraonline.com/ the underlying LINK in DOLOS list > ijraonline.com/< produces fortunately an ERROR-report: "Error code 22" ) it might be interesting to know more or at least HONESTLY being informed about that cooperation with ResearchGate (if such a cooperation still exists).
Best wishes for a calm, and regenerating weekend,
cordial regards, WHM
The e-mail that I have just received:
"Dear Dr. Chrcanovic,
I am hoping to discuss with you the idea of speaking at the 2019 World Congress on Psychological Science (WCPS) this November 9th in Vienna, Austria.
We have many exciting keynote topics lined up, including:
- Prevalence of internet addiction among youth
- Effect of social media on psychology
- Behavior therapy: recent developments
- To feel or not to feel? Coping with emotions.
We are also organizing sessions on Psychology Education, Neuropsychology, and Psychotherapy.
There is a limited amount of travel funding available for those who need it. Early registration closes June 10th.
The congress website has more detailed information and a downloadable brochure at https://conferences.spg.ltd/wcps
Could you take a look at the congress website and let me know if you are open to participating as a speaker or delegate?
Best Regards,
📷A. Nikitakis, MSc, Ph.D. Committee Chair World Congress on Psychological Science Eugen-Huber Strasse 12 Zurich, Switzerland, 8048"
Indeed ! I received the same :
" Thank you again for your email. Based on your response, you are eligible for the travel reimbursement funds and I have added your name to the waiting list. The hotel accommodation will be provided as well. Please register on the conference website today and I will soon be sending you the guidelines for presenters.The link is https://conferences.spg.ltd/wcps/ Best Regards, 📷 A. Nikitakis, MSc, Ph.D.
SPG Psychology a:Auf der Mauer 8 Zurich Switzerland 8001 p:+41 43 508 29 05
Sign up to server as a peer reviewer📷
On May 24, 2019, 3:10 PM GMT+2 [email protected] wrote: Dear Dr. Nikitakis, I will come from Lyon in France. And yes I'll have also need an hostel. I registreted soon. What topic do you prefer ? Best Regards ! Lucien Oulahbib ----- Mail d'origine ----- De: A. Nikitakis, MSc, Ph.D. À: Lucien Oulahbib Envoyé: Fri, 24 May 2019 14:06:22 +0200 (CEST) Objet: Re: Speaking at WCPS? Dear Dr. Oulahbib, Thank you again for interest in attending the 2019 World Congress on Psychological Science. There are some travel funds available for those who need assistance. The congress can also provide hotel accommodation if needed. Please let me know from where you will be traveling and I will check if you are eligible. Unfortunately we do not have the resources to be able to also waive the registration fee, but I can reduce it by 10%. Please register on the conference website early to ensure your place as a speaker. An abstract can be submitted along with the registration, or later on. Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any assistance. I look forward to meeting you in Vienna. Presentation on this topic would certainly be of interest. #wcps1 #ecco1 Best Regards, A. Nikitakis, MSc, Ph.D. SPG Psychology a: Auf der Mauer 8 Zurich Switzerland 8001 p: +41 43 508 29 05
Naturally and obviously, this (SPG) is NOT an Austrian organizer or Organisation inviting people - be they either 'naïf' or just looking for "a short holiday/vacation/sightseeing trip" to Vienna.
(Not all bad at the moment if you read from "Austria"! Most of our citizens and companies are friendly and kind - least no ultra-right "man-eaters" --- and safe for consumers of any supply of services )
"SPG" (SCIENCE PUBLISHING GROUP) has been multiply accused to be a predatory organizer of at least "dubuious" if not fake congresses, symposia and people should know about that fact already. Nevertheless it is necessary to warn others every time such e-mails arrive...and - as all of you know - if you are doubting a source to be true / reliable / trustworthy (journals, publishers, 'congress organizers' you are friendliest pointed to visit the DOLOS list of Prof. Alexandre Georges (= cf: https://www.professeur-alexandre-georges.info/dolos-list ),
where (using the computer's search function by clicking the two pushbuttons "CTRL & F" and inserting the name or [key-]word under suspicion and see the results found) SPG already is listed (and warned to use their link
Interesting the fact, that a website owner / organisation with a very similar name (instead SCIENCE PUBLISHING GROUP: GLOBAL Science Publishing Group), with their website: http://globalsciencepg.org/ state
( quote: )
"© 2015 Global Science Publishing Group, United States of America. All Rights Reserved. Our Partners: CrossRef, DOIJ, ISI, google scholar and Research Gate..."
Since GSPG/Global Science Publishing Group also is listed in the DOLOS LIST (with a lot of their "journals" like INT.J.of RES & APPLICations, http://ijraonline.com/ the underlying LINK in DOLOS list > ijraonline.com/< produces fortunately an ERROR-report: "Error code 22" ) it might be interesting to know more or at least HONESTLY being informed about that cooperation with ResearchGate (if such a cooperation still exists).
Best wishes for a calm, and regenerating weekend,
cordial regards, WHM
Gosh... I said it will be interesred to visit also Vienna but first of all the fees are too high for just one day and it's impossible to know who is behind since their "brochure" cannot be downladed from the site....
Thank's too WHM !
Lucien
Apologies for lengthiness:
Dear Lucien Oulahbib ,
Dear @ Milena Cukic(@Milena Cukic), you both are welcome!
Thank you for your recommendation(s). If you follow these threads on fake, dubious, predatory and so on journals as well as congresses you will find out this to be a great 'business' which always to the biggest part has to be paid by the eventually fooled colleague. I admit that I have been pointing in many RG-threads and answers to these bad and cheating activities for long.
Since it is also interesting that the "fakenames" also use "fake adresses" I just try to open one's eyes by adding the following - SPG's -
Google (satellite) map-locations for:
i) Eugen-Huber Strasse 12 Zurich, Switzerland, 8048 (=CH-8048 Zürich) as well as
ii) Auf der Mauer 8 Zurich Switzerland 8001 (=CH-8001Zürich).
For:
i) companies/firms located there by name:
1) a Cleaning firm: ABC-Reinigung and
2) a firm called BUGNARD AG(=Ltd), a tool making company
cf. https://www.google.com/maps/place/ABC-REINIGUNG/@47.3850999,8.4848589,78m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x47900a30317e42b9:0xa59f16384e90345e!8m2!3d47.3850557!4d8.4853459
or:
ii) Auf der Mauetr 8, 8001 Zürich:
cf:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Auf+der+Mauer+8,+8001+Z%C3%BCrich,+Schweiz/@47.3773319,8.5429097,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x479aa0a7ea917d6b:0x6d47c0819e34b6d5!8m2!3d47.3773283!4d8.5450984,
in 3D-satellite image: https://www.google.com/maps/@47.3773959,8.5439783,310m/data=!3m1!1e3
insert "Leonhardshalde" as the address you are looking for and point with a mouseclick the building LEFT the RED LOCATION marker. You'll see the appearing address of that house to be "Auf der Mauer, (house) no 8" .
Unfortunately the 3D -mapview shows a lane / narrow street, the house to the left (on turning the image far to the left in https://www.google.com/maps/place/Auf+der+Mauer+8,+8001+Z%C3%BCrich,+Schweiz/@47.3773319,8.5429097,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x479aa0a7ea917d6b:0x6d47c0819e34b6d5!8m2!3d47.3773283!4d8.5450984 , one can see the front of 'Auf der Mauer No 1', to the right of the image is a wall made from concrete as the basis of "Auf der Mauer No 8"
When you found the building also in: or https://www.google.com/maps/@47.3755252,8.5422869,434a,35y,31.42h,28.25t/data=!3m1!1e3 ,
you'll see a big residential building... but no indication of any company is listed (or pops up) at that address.
Concerning the phone number as given in their e-mails:
p: +41 43 508 29 05
you'll see - by searching the "phonebook for Switzerland" for that number at
https://www.telefonbuch-schweiz.ch/?q=%2B41+43+508+29+05+&loc=Z%C3%BCrich&src=1 -
that the number is characterized as a "Call Center" , but - most interestingly:
i) there is ONLY ONE RESULT in SWITZERLAND for +41 43 508 29 05 but - additionally:
ii) there is NO NUMBER +41 43 508 29 05 situated IN the City of ZURICH
/Zürich.
("Keine Ergebnisse fuer +41 43 508 29 05 in Zürich")
iii) if you enter ONLY the number in the "Schweizer Telefonbuch"-search (cf.: https://www.telefonbuch-schweiz.ch/?q=%2B41+43+508+29+05+&loc=&src=1 ) then one is informed that many people already have had complaints regarding that number for the following issue:
i) 'Unerwünschtes Telefonmarketing!" ("Unrequested marketing by phone calls") which also might mean they perhaps spamming by mail too) and
ii)"Wir haben die (Tel.)Nummer 43 508 29 05 als Telefonmarketing verifiziert. Viele Personen haben auf local.ch nach der Nummer 43 508 29 05 gesucht. Es handelt sich dabei um unerwünschtes Telefonmarketing"" ("We have verified the number...as Marketing by phone/telemarketing. Many persons have searched for that number on 'local.ch'. It is about unsolicited telemarketing".
I don't believe the police can do much in case of these cybercrimes. This Science Publishing Group Ltd. has a fake physical address in Switzerland, but the real location of the crooks is very probably in another country.
Dear all in this thread, Dear Bruno Chrcanovic , thank you for pointing to the fact that SPG acts certainly/most probably from a country other than Switzerland.....I have read their presumptive location anywhere in one of the cited THREADS (see below, which I collected over a longer time of RG-Discussions regarding the matter "dubious, fake, predatory, cheating etc....). Since I didn't post that reply in this thread I do it now:
in Thread:
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Are_students_being_warned_about_Science_Publishing_Group
I posted:
" 📷[313] Wolfgang H. Muss 13 days ago added an answer
Concerning 'SPG' (= "Science Publishing Group"):
This "company" already is listed in the DOLOS List of Prof. Dr. Alexandre Georges
(https://www.professeur-alexandre-georges.info/dolos-list )
as
>Science Publishing Group (other links here = http://sciencepg.com and here: http://scipg.net) and as
>Science Publishing Group (spg.ltd)
NB: 'SPG' (= "Science Publishing Group") not to be confused with
>ScienceQ Publishing Group 2019. All Rights Reserved. and
>SciencQ Publishing Group ,
both of which (one company, two reserved /copyrighted names....) supposedly are predatory 'publishers' too.
A very "potent" indicator for that is also that ALL the "Sponsor- Supporter-Logos mentioned on their main HOME- webpage have no functional link to these companies.
Other matter:
There only is a 'CONTACT US' form: https://scienceq.org/contact-us.php ,
"We’d Love to Hear from You!" :
Your highly encourage to directly send prepared article to The Editorial system along with copyright form and reviwers details, via E-mail: [email protected]
The whole page remains 'anonymous' without any hints about teh [the] name of an owner, Editor, etc., responsibilities, etc.... but five "Journals" are presented and ALL of THEM want to get YOUR publication....
Other matter:
"PROCESSING FEES", [see under section SUBMIT MANUSCRIPTS - cf: https://scienceq.org/submit-manuscript.php ] state:
[Quote] "ScienceQ is a not-for-profit organization; all the Editors and reviewers of ScienceQ are volunteers’ aims to facilitate dissemination of research articles to the global community. Funding for the management purpose will be collected based upon the willingness of authors and donors . However, funding system is on hold at this moment*). Publishing with ScienceQ is completely free of charge . Feel free to take a chance with us. [end of quote]
*) font has been changed to BOLD and Italics by WHM
Honestly added for those of you all who demand information about
Similar questions and discussions in ResearchGate (regarding Dolos-list, "predatory", dubious', 'questionable' journals, publishers, newspapers, conference organizers', etc.,I have already been participating with replies and information - not exhaustive-! ):
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Dolos_list_a_new_list_of_predatory_publishers_and_journals
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Now_you_can_contribute_to_the_Dolos_list_and_publish_your_opinion2
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Would_it_be_a_good_initiative_to_constitute_a_collective_of_researchers_to_publicly_and_collectively_denounce_predatory_publishing
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Are_institutions_the_key_to_eliminating_predatory_publishing_and_preserving_scientific_rigor
https://www.researchgate.net/post/The_Dolos_list_and_the_scientific_community_A_special_relationship
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Dolos_list-Pseudoscience_Homeopathy_and_Elsevier_The_winning_trio_of_the_day
https://www.researchgate.net/post/New_article_about_the_Dolos_list_Are_your_threats_useful
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Dear_PhD_students_be_careful_with_scientific_publishing
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Dubious_conference_invitations_Just_spam_or_do_these_meetings_actually_take_place
https://www.researchgate.net/post/A_new_site_listing_predatory_journals_What_do_you_think_of_it
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Is_International_Journal_of_Scientific_and_Engineering_Research_ISSN_2229-5518_a_valid_Journal
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Do_you_have_knowledge_about_scams_in_the_academic_world
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Is_InTech_Open_Science_a_predatory_or_a_ligitimate_publisher
https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_do_You_think_about_intechopencom
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Can_I_trust_OMICS_iMedPub_Conference_Series_Allied_Academies_Pulsus_Trade_Sci_SciTechnol_and_EuroSciCon
https://www.researchgate.net/post/How_can_we_avoid_the_risk_of_publishing_in_a_fake_journal_and_how_can_we_evaluate_a_journals_quality
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Do_you_know_what_are_the_Predatory_read-Fake_Journals_bothering_your_Email_box_everyday
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Do_you_know_any_fake_journal_Please_share_your_experience_here_thus_a_list_will_be_automatically_compiled_It_will_help_us_to_avoid_them_isnt_it
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Fraudulent_journal_and_congresses_Archives_of_Applied_Medicine_2019_Global_Conf_on_Neuroscience_and_Neurology_2019_Annual_Conference_on_Genetics
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Is_Science_Repository_a_predatory_publisher
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Is_it_worth_publishing_with_Lambert_Academic_publishers
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Has_someone_published_something_with_Omniscriptum_Publishing_Group_or_LAP_LAMBERT_Academic_Publishing
[https://www.researchgate.net/post/Are_students_being_warned_about_Science_Publishing_Group]
Best of luck, WHM. "
Wolfgang H. Muss I read once in one of these discussions here in Researchgate that you were suspecting that the URL of one of these fraudulent publishers websites is possibly from China. Is that correct?
I receive about every week mails that advertise suspect congresses, often in China. They are immediately transferred to the bin.
Peter Prudon , you're lucky to receive these e-mails only on a weekly basis. I receive them on a daily basis. It is annoying.
To Bruno Chrcanovic : apologies for late reply:
Yes, this could be most possibly be. At least from the asiatic region, if I remember correctly.
(But I have to find that data in my "mess of information").
Best regards, WHM
Note added by EDIT some minutes after initial Posting:
cf.:
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_Publishing_Group, or
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_Publishing_Group, respectively:
Pakistan
and
(out of some other information, searching GOOGLE for:
Science Publishing Group AND FAKE = https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=Science+Publishing+group+and+Fake ):
J.BEALL's:
Invited Comment
Predatory journals exploit structural weaknesses in scholarly publishing
4open 2018 1, 1
https://doi.org/10.1051/fopen/2018001
https://www.4open-sciences.org/articles/fopen/full_html/2018/01/fopen180001s/fopen180001s.html
Thanks for this announcement Bruno. I have just been invited to speak at this event by the same man (A. Nikitakis, MSc, Ph.D). I was suspicious and did a check on him, which is when I saw your message, so thank you. Also, their publishing group keeps on inviting me to publish with them, which I have refused openly in my replies but they are very insistent--frankly, it looks ridiculous.
Thanks for sharing.
I have received similar information and invitations to be the chairperson/speaker daily. Some from my field of interest and others from totally unrelated fields. From what you have posted, I suppose some of what I received in email are in the same category. The question is how do one tell the real ones from the fake ones?
Generally, an invitation to just attend a conference from a group or association you don't know should be watched suspiciously. Their emails are often written impersonally and the content mostly fails to be focused on the recipient's area of expertise. It also tends to advertise a journal that publishes in non-specific disciplines and conferences in unrealistically varied topics. I guess this is to ensure they target a wide-enough scientific audience, not realizing that this is not appealing. So, unless they address you in grammatically-accurate English, write an invitation that specifically taps your field of expertise, and explain their topic of interest that you expert with, it's probably from a source to be careful about.
You're welcome Zhaogui Yan . I guess Bruno Cayoun has already answered your question. Look above.
Thanks Bruno Cayoun,
in addition: be very careful concerning the so-called page of this so-called "world congress": Do not open that link: it leads to an Interactive malware hunting service. Any environments ready for live testing most type of threats. Without install. Without waiting. Nobody knows (at least I don´t) what really happens...
So the best would be, just to through it into the trash.
I have been just invited to hold a keynote lecture to this World Congress On Psychological Science; it is the last of a long series. The international community should do something to stop this rubbish.
Best
Giovanni
OMG, thank you Bruno. So many of these scams going on, usually in areas for which it is immediately clear I'm not appropriate. I ignored this one for some time. But it sounded possible (given my research), Vienna sounded nice.... Very much appreciate you taking the time to post this.
Many thanks, Scott
Thank you for the warning! Much appreciated that you took the time and trouble to do so
A good tip from @Randolph B Caldwell:
9 Signs a conference is a big fat fake!
https://www.exordo.com/blog/9-signs-this-is-a-fake-conference/
I received today an e-mail from the ResearchGate Community Support, where it was written that they are removing my posts about the Science Publishing Group. They received a "Notice of Claimed Defamation" from SPG. They are defending their rights to lure and deceive researchers! Can you believe this? I can bet that soon this post here will also be blocked/removed.
The e-mail I received:
Från: ResearchGate Community Support Skickat: den 27 juni 2019 10:28 Till: Bruno Chrcanovic Ämne: Defamation - notification of removal of content
Dear Bruno,
We are writing to advise you that we have disabled access to the content identified below because we received a Notice of Claimed Defamation from Science Publishing Group, asserting that they have a good faith belief that certain portions of the content constitute defamation to them. In accordance with our internal procedures, we have therefore removed the identified content.
Other than removing this content, we have taken no other action on your account. However, please be aware that if the content is reposted or you receive additional warnings from us, we may be required to take further action, which could include disabling your account permissions.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
******
Removed Content:
1. https://www.researchgate.net/post/Fraudulent_Congress_2019_European_Congress_on_Clinical_Oncology_ECCO 2. https://www.researchgate.net/post/Fraudulent_publisher_Science_Publishing_Group_or_SPG
Kind regards,
RG Community Support
ResearchGate GmbH Chausseestr. 20, 10115 Berlin, Germany
E: [email protected] www.researchgate.net
Registered Seat: Hannover, HR B 202837
Managing Directors: Dr Ijad Madisch, Dr Sören Hofmayer A proud affiliate of: ResearchGate Corporation, 350 Townsend St #754, San Francisco, CA 94107
Have any more questions? Check out ResearchGate's Help Center: https://explore.researchgate.net/?utm_source=template&utm_campaign=templates
I cannot believe that RG is supporting them! We should all share what you wrote! It means that you can be predator and have a good lawyer and everything is fine...this is really disappointing
Yes, Milena Cukic . Just follow the example of @Randolph B Caldwell and also write a complaint to them. This is what he wrote:
"Dear RG Community Support,
SPG are spammers and predators. PERIOD!
They ignore requests to unsubscribe or stop sending their spam to me.
I have answered them many times "NO, I am not interested" only to have them contact me a half dozen more times with the same question and claiming (they lie) they haven't gotten a response from me.
They change their email addresses to get around spam filters.
And like all predators are now doing, they require you to sign up (giving them permission to spam you) just to look at their conference brochures.
BTW, I have the emails to prove it.
This is one of their earliest spam mails to me and this was sent after I unsubscribed from their predatory crap:
(...)"
This is what I wrote to them today, still waiting for an answer:
"Dear RG Community Support,
Unbelievable that RG is giving credit to this predatory "publisher" Science Publishing Group.
Look at this discussion about it in the RG, which began in 2014:
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Are_students_being_warned_about_Science_Publishing_Group
SPG are spammers and predators. This is the opinion of many and many researchers, which have been discussing this issue for years, here in the very RG. It seems that ResearchGate is the only one believing they are acting in "good faith".
Yours sincerely,
Bruno"
Message sent. I would like to see more colleagues reacting. This is important.
Milena Cukic and all others in THIS thread:
please join or at least- READ the latest, most recently posted replies in thread:
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Clinical_Medicine_Review_Copernicus_Publishing_Fraudulent_journal_and_publisher
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Clinical_Medicine_Review_Copernicus_Publishing_Fraudulent_journal_and_publisher
in that thread also my Re# :
📷[025] Wolfgang H. Muss added a reply
Dear Rogelio Rodríguez-Sotres :
What did I do? Just only "scientifically" examined and retraced/comprehended what their web-presentation suggests us to be allright...... I didn't hack anybody - anything....just what obviously has been presented publically...As I learned from others that there are some short cuts like 'CTRL+U' for reading the html-source text..., that often in CACHE (that is the green down-pointing arrow next right to the URL-display in Google results) there is valuable information too...etc.etc. ....
And - last but not least - just to inform all interested colleagues:
Yesterday (19-06-27) I have sent to:
Dr. med. Ijad Madisch, CEO ResearchGate
Dr. med. Sören Hofmayer, CSO, ResearchGate
DI (Diplom-Informatiker) Horst Fickenscher, CTO ResearchGate
as well as to [email protected]
my reservations as well as apprehension (including most of the known sources of information about SPG) regarding the removal of "predator" and "fraudster"-discussion-content in case of [ Bruno Chrcanovic ] which was accompanied by a menace of exclusion from RG-platform in case of repeated 'defamating action'.
I honestly ask all of you at least for some understanding that I didn't post this my reply to RG publically in the respective threads.
also visit and join/read:
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Dubious_conference_invitations_Just_spam_or_do_these_meetings_actually_take_place?
and (a bit old but nevertheless or perhaps interesting to read):
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/aug/10/predatory-publishers-the-journals-who-churn-out-fake-science
Best wishes & nice weekend to all, cordially yours WHM
PS: Take note of my "MESSAGE TO RG" was SENT already.
Thank you!
Hi,
I get the following message today (I get more previously but i did not keep copies).
This stuff refers to "Marine and Aquatic Biotechnology" but my paper is about fossil algae (~90-million-year-old in which, no organic material is preserved!). I can hardly see any connection between the two topics.
Conclusion: It is definitely "Phishing" ... with a poor targeting!
One tip: from "Sophie" or "Shirley" and reply-to "Alma"!?...
=)
Best wishes!
=)
----- Forwarded message from sophie ----- Date: Sat, 29 Jun 2019 20:34:15 +0800 From: sophie Reply-To: [email protected] Subject: Follow up: Confirmation for Chair/Speakers for the WGC-2020, Osaka, Japan To: Bruno Granier
Dear Dr. Bruno Granier,
This is Alma, Program Coordinator of the WGC-2020. Please accept my apology if this email bothers you, as I have tried to send you this invitation in last months but without any response from you.
It is our great pleasure and privilege to welcome you to join the World Gene Convention-2020 (WGC-2020) conference, which will be held during June 7-9, 2020 in Osaka, Japan. On behalf of the Organizing Committee, we would be honored to invite you to be a chair/speaker at Session 6-7: Marine and Aquatic Biotechnology while presenting about About Trinocladus Raineri, 1922: when some Permocalculus (Gymnocodiacean algae) reveal to be Triploporellacean algae (Revision of the Jesse Harlan Johnson Collection. Part 5) at the upcoming WGC-2020.
WGC had been successfully organized in Singapore, Macau, Shanghai, Qingdao in the last eight years. More than 3,000 famous experts and scholars from around the world have participated in our WGC. During previous conference, more than 300 speakers and 30+ poster attendees had presented their up-to-date research and made a fulfill communication on timely issues in the field of life science and biotechnology each year. Meanwhile, it has promoted the communication of colleagues and collaboration of partners in this field. With the kindly praise and suggestions from our participants, we are confident in organizing WGC-2020 which would be better and more successful!
Aiming to promote an international exchange of scientific knowledge and experience in the field of gene, life science, biotechnology and biopharmaceutical, the scientific program of WGC-2020 will include plenary/keynote lectures and session talks as well as poster presentations under 6 major themes, mainly focused onbreakthroughs in gene, advances genomics & genetics, new research of DNA and RNA, focus on basic research, the frontier research of life sciences, new biotherapy discovery, emerging areas for medicine applications, robust technology development, and cutting-edge Biotechnology. We certainly believe that WGC-2020 will provide a variety of opportunities to exchange ideas and expertise as well as network with worldwide research groups.
We expect your precious comments or suggestions; also your reference to other speakers will be highly appreciated. We look forward to receiving your replies on the following questions:
1. What is the title of your speech?
2. Do you have any suggestions about our program?
For more detail of conference program: http://www.bitcongress.com/WGC2020/
In addition to the amazing conference, you will benefit from the wonderful experience in Osaka, Japan. Joining in WGC-Japan 2020, you will experience mythical nature and culture of this most developed country in Asia, such as Mount Fuji, Shrines and Temples, Hot Springs, Kimono, Traditional Drama, and Amazing Food.
We sincerely wish you can accept our invitation and join us to contribute your invaluable experience and knowledge at this magnificent conference. Look forward to hearing from you soon!
Sincerely yours,
Ms. Alma Yang
Claims: This email was found in an article published of the Public Domain.
----- End forwarded message -----
They have decided to do not kick me out from RG after all. The message I got, after my (and my colleagues here from RG) complaint:
"Dear Bruno, Thanks for taking the time to write to us. We take your concerns very seriously.
At ResearchGate, while we generally support freedom of expression, we also respect any laws that might apply to particular types of content, including the laws of defamation.
Defamation cases tend to be complex and highly factual. As a platform that hosts third party content, we are not in a position to independently assess the merits of these types of claims. Where the allegations in a Notice of Claimed Defamation assert a prima facie case of defamation, we generally accept the notice and remove the content. Failure to do so could possibly expose us and you to legal liability.
We regret that this outcome is disappointing for you and we hope you can understand the difficult position we are in.
Kind regards, Dan
RG Community Support"
Hi,
Today I have got a mail (see below) inviting me to be a chair/speaker to WGC-2020 in Osaka.
It is obvious that the trick is the same:
1) They get one of your publication (e.g. from the Web of Science) including your e-mail address.
2) Copy the title of your paper - later that will serve as the topic of your proposed “Session”.
3) Invite you to be the chair of session – sounds very honorable :)
4) Wait for your response and “conference” FEE.
I have got similar letters for different congresses in the world, but with the same title of “session” (that is the title of the paper).
I am not sure that they cannot have an access to your e-mail box.
To avoid further mails, I have sent them a link found in this post of Bruno (https://www.exordo.com/blog/9-signs-this-is-a-fake-conference/) as a response. I hope they stop sending mails.
Thanks Bruno and for you all.
Laszlo
*************
From: Miranda [mailto:[email protected]] Subject: Follow up: Confirmation for Chair/Speakers for the WGC-2020, Osaka, Japan
Dear Dr. László Purnhauser,
This is Alma, Program Coordinator of the WGC-2020. Please accept my apology if this email bothers you, as I have tried to send you this invitation in last months but without any response from you.
It is our great pleasure and privilege to welcome you to join the World Gene Convention-2020 (WGC-2020) conference, which will be held during June 7-9, 2020 in Osaka, Japan. On behalf of the Organizing Committee, we would be honored to invite you to be a chair/speaker at Session 1-3: Spotlights on Gene while presenting about Occurrence of 1BL.1RS wheat-rye chromosome translocation and of Sr36/Pm6 resistance gene cluster in wheat cultivars registered in Hungary ... at the upcoming WGC-2020.
WGC had been successfully organized in Singapore, Macau, Shanghai, Qingdao in the last eight years. More than 3,000 famous experts and scholars from around the world have participated in our WGC. During previous conference, more than 300 speakers and 30+ poster attendees had presented their up-to-date research and made a fulfill communication on timely issues in the field of life science and biotechnology each year. Meanwhile, it has promoted the communication of colleagues and collaboration of partners in this field. With the kindly praise and suggestions from our participants, we are confident in organizing WGC-2020 which would be better and more successful!
Aiming to promote an international exchange of scientific knowledge and experience in the field of gene, life science, biotechnology and biopharmaceutical, the scientific program of WGC-2020 will include plenary/keynote lectures and session talks as well as poster presentations under 6 major themes, mainly focused onbreakthroughs in gene, advances genomics & genetics, new research of DNA and RNA, focus on basic research, the frontier research of life sciences, new biotherapy discovery, emerging areas for medicine applications, robust technology development, and cutting-edge Biotechnology. We certainly believe that WGC-2020 will provide a variety of opportunities to exchange ideas and expertise as well as network with worldwide research groups.
We expect your precious comments or suggestions; also your reference to other speakers will be highly appreciated. We look forward to receiving your replies on the following questions:
1. What is the title of your speech?
2. Do you have any suggestions about our program?
For more detail of conference program: http://www.bitcongress.com/WGC2020/
In addition to the amazing conference, you will benefit from the wonderful experience in Osaka, Japan. Joining in WGC-Japan 2020, you will experience mythical nature and culture of this most developed country in Asia, such as Mount Fuji, Shrines and Temples, Hot Springs, Kimono, Traditional Drama, and Amazing Food.
We sincerely wish you can accept our invitation and join us to contribute your invaluable experience and knowledge at this magnificent conference. Look forward to hearing from you soon!
Sincerely yours,
Ms. Alma Yang
You're welcome. Yes Laszlo Purnhauser , this is exactly the way they try to lure us into attending these fraudulent congresses.
Laszlo Purnhauser , thank you for providing new evidence that they (advertisers for BIT-Conferences, the YANG-Clan *) located in PR of China in DALIAN, Hi-Tech Industrial Zone, LN 116025 PR China, They also solicite (and sent / send still unsolicited E-Mail-invitations ) for the "famous and renowned" AnalytiX(2014, 2015..., 2019, 2020...)Conferences too ) are active yet....
*)cf: Poster Invitation Letter
Other RG-threads picking that matter
(URL= full text search in ResGate for BIT-congress. I propose to read NOT ONLY the last 5-10 answers!):
https://www.researchgate.net/search.Search.html?type=question&query=BIT-Congress :
-
==>
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Is_the_BIT_World_cancer_congress_http_wwwbitlifesciencescom_cancer2014_a_legitimate_conference_If_so_what_is_it_like ? in that thread you can find a (only as a funny) Re-example:
>>> Craig A. Horswill May 7, 2018 added an answer
>>>The adage from Groucho Marx is appropriate here:
" PLEASE ACCEPT MY RESIGNATION. I DON'T WANT TO BELONG TO ANY CLUB THAT WILL ACCEPT ME AS A MEMBER.” (:-))
==> https://www.researchgate.net/post/How_do_you_get_information_on_upcoming_scientific_conferences ?
(Re# 100,Feb20,2019: List of at least " cf. DOLOS-LIST;
(Re #105, March 2,2019):
"Companies that organize predatory meetings:
- BIT Congress
- BIT Life Sciences ...... "
-
==> https://www.researchgate.net/post/Dubious_conference_invitations_Just_spam_or_do_these_meetings_actually_take_place ? (e. g., Re by Cosmin Farcău , March 28, 2019, is not the only reply with regard to the Dalian-connection....)
-
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Predatory_conferences_and_publishing_new_developments ?
-
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Do_you_think_you_should_pay_conference_registration_fee_if_you_are_presenting ?
So, you can see, there have been a lot of blogs and replies and warnings since 2014 ff... Have fun in waiting for the next unsolicited 'invitation',
best wishes, good luck and regards, WHM
I also received an email from "the World Gene Convention-2020 (WGC-2020) conference" again. In my case, the title was "Preventive Agents and Phytochemicals for Reducing the Adverse Health Effects of Arsenic" same as a my paper's title. If I did not find Bruno's post, I can not judge the conference as a fake...
Is this the one Yumi Abiko ?:
http://www.bitcongress.com/WGC2020/Welcome.asp
Well Yumi Abiko , it looks very suspicious. Although the congress will be held only June next year, the Scientific Program is "coming soon..." There is a Preliminary Program, but no speaker is listed. It is stated that this is the 11th convention, but one cannot find any website from the nine first conventions, only from the 10th convention, which will be held at the end of the this month of September. For me, this is just another "slot-machine" congress. Don't waste your money and time with it.
Dear Laszlo Purnhauser : honestly I am asking you:
Did you meanwhile receive a reply on your personal information to the advertiser [see your recent answer above=2nd Sept.2019, regarding: ".....To avoid further mails, I have sent them a link found in this post of Bruno (https://www.exordo.com/blog/9-signs-this-is-a-fake-conference/) as a response. I hope they stop sending mails. "
or eventually an automated 'reminder ,
either from:
- Miranda [mailto:[email protected]] or
- Ms Alma Yang,
or eventually also from
- Ms. Mia Lee (her name also may be received in varied first names then...)
[NB: the following copied and pasted from one of the multiple unsolicited E-Mails SENT to an inactive e-mail adress (created in 2011!) with regard to a personally self-organized Annual Society congress (SCUR= Society for CUTANEOUS ULTRASTRUCTURE RESEARCH [NB: see §§ below §§)] held 2013 in Salzburg, Austria):
QUOTE:
[sender/ Von: mia04 ]
Date: Mo., 19. Aug. 2019 um 04:35 Uhr Subject: Follow-up: Dr. Wolfgang MUSS, Call for Session Speaker at AnalytiX-2020, Japan To: Wolfgang MUSS (yes, you can spam....)
The 8th Annual Conference of AnalytiX 2020 (AnalytiX-2020)
Time: March 5-7, 2020
Place: Kyoto, Japan
Dear Dr. Wolfgang MUSS,
This is Mia writing to you again to welcome you attending The 8th Annual Conference of AnalytiX-2020, which will be held on March 5-7, 2020 in Kyoto International Conference Center, Japan.
Conference website: http://www.bitcongress.com/Analytix2020/ ./.
[NB: as you can see, this is advertised also via a "bitcongress.com"-URL!]
./. -Quote continued-
I have sent our invitation concerning the oral speech on ....
.............................§§Cutaneous Ultrastructure Research§§ .........................
for two times but haven’t heard anything from you. To ensure you don't miss my letters, I would like to reach to you one more time. If you are interested in the following topics listed below, please kindly let me know. We look forward to your active participation. ...... (follows 'TOPICS track 1-9' ).
In addition, our committee has developed a forum for young scientists/speakers at this meeting. We sincerely welcome your PhD students to present a speech and posters as well.
Your early response would be highly appreciated.
Yours sincerely,
Contact:
Ms. Mia Lee Organizing Committee of AnalytiX-2020 East Wing, 11F, Dalian Ascendas IT Park No. 1 Hui Xian Yuan, Dalian Hi-tech Industrial Zone LN 116025, P. R. China Tel: 0086-411-84799609 Ext. 804
Email: [email protected] " - End of quote
You see: The 'amount of dark matter in the universe' is a big and foggy dataset- for sure a huge one....for advertising from the same company :
from Email: Miranda [mailto:[email protected]]
Contact: Ms Alma Yang
Reply Email: ?
http://www.bitcongress.com/WGC2020/
- : - : - : -
http://www.bitcongress.com/Analytix2020/
from Email: mia04 [mailto:
NOTE ADDED separately (in order to be deleted by RG more easilyy in case the following might violate terms of
e.g.: cf.:
https://libguides.caltech.edu/c.php?g=512665&p=3503029 :
then:
CTRL+F , insert | BIT | into search field and find (besides a lot of other 'questionable', 'dubious' or at least 'flaky' Congress organizers:
QUOTE:
- BIT Group Global Ltd. According to Wikipedia ... "BIT Life Sciences (or BIT Congress Inc., BIT Group Global Ltd) is a predatory, for profit meetings, incentives, conferencing, exhibitions (MICE) company based in Dalian, China that specializes in arranging multiple scientific congresses that have been described as "predatory". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BIT_Life_Sciences
End of Quote.
Source:
Last Updated: Sep 6, 2019 10:29 AM
URL: https://libguides.caltech.edu/c.php?g=512665
Eventually - if time permits, also cf:
http://flakyc.blogspot.com :
BLOG, added: Tuesday, August 27, 2019
>> Coalesce Research Group NB:*) Aims to "Create Ideal Platform for Scientific Community"
Good report Wolfgang H. Muss , as always. Then it seems that most of these groups are based in China.
Laszlo Purnhauser got that exact same invitation today. I feel so very privileged by the high esteem of such an invitation.
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