My graduate student discovered some papers published in very respected journals, where the mass use of not existing references was made. We made some search and found that it does not look like a technical mistake of the sort which anyone can make. Rather it looks like an intentional indication of articles which were never published. Now we are not sure about what should be correct: either to ignore it or to write to the journal editor and to launch a messy and stinking story. A piece of your advice would be highly appreciated.