Are there fake conferences in the chemistry sector?
Quine, who estimates that there are “hundreds, if not thousands” of fake conferences in the chemistry sector, tracks potentially illegitimate uses of members of the RSC community. “If we see one of our regular contributors’ photos on such a website, we will drop them a line to ask if they know,” Quine said.
Are fake meetings a real thing?
“Fake meetings are not fake news,” he writes. “That is to say, fraudulent conferences exist, and they are becoming a real problem for the meetings industry.” Senthil Gopinath, CEO of International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) agrees.
Is it worth it to submit to conferences?
It can be an important revenue source for professional organizations that work to provide valuable continuing education.” What separates the legitimate conferences from the shady ones, however, is the acceptance rate. In many cases, predatory conferences accept 100 percent of submissions. Pay to submit, and there’s a spot waiting.
Are too many conferences being promoted around the world?
“Tens of thousands of terrible quality and sometimes fraudulent conferences are today being promoted around the world, which presents an industrial-scale challenge to bonafide associations and their quality education programs,” Gopinath told Convene. “It’s a global phenomenon, which today impacts negatively on almost every scientific discipline.
What was the FTC ruling against OMICS?
Earlier this year, a judge in Nevada handed down a $50.1 million judgment against OMICS for what the FTC called “deceptive claims to academics and researchers about the nature of their conferences and publications.”.
How much does a medical meeting organizer spend on legal fees?
However, the U.S.-based medical meeting organizer said that he budgets approximately $100,000 in annual legal fees to fend off fraudulent actors in the housing space and the predatory conference landscape.
How many invitations does Laskowski Jones get?
She said she gets approximately 10 invitations each week to speak at what she deems illegitimate events.
What is ICCA on its website?
On the supplier side, ICCA — which on its website says it represents the “main specialists in handling, transporting, and accommodating international events” — maintains a list of what it says are predatory conference organizers to help its members determine whether to host certain pieces of business.
Where did James McCrostie sneak into?
McCrostie told Convene that he sneaked into what he deemed a predatory conference at Tokyo’s Waseda University in 2015. James McCrostie. According to McCrostie, the event was organized by a Taiwanese organization called iBAC through a subsidiary called the International Academy Institute.
Did Klara Valko attend the iPharma conference?
While Richards did not attend iPharma, Klara Valko, Ph.D., DSc, FRSC, director of the U.K.-based Bio-Mimetic Chromatography Consultancy, told Convene that she participated in the most recent edition of the conference, July 3–5, 2019. “I did not realize it was a predatory conference,” Valko said. “It sounded good.”.
Is there a way to end fake conferences?
Cassidy said that it would be “difficult for a convention bureau to publicly ‘announce’ details of a predatory conference” because the process would most likely require additional legal advice, and it could create confusion around legitimate conferences. Any step that could lead to a courtroom is one that most organizations aim to avoid taking.
12 Red flags: How to spot fake or fraudulent conferences
The number of predatory conferences, unfortunately, is increasing, and their scamming techniques are also getting more sophisticated. If you are new to the speaking circuit, there are a few things you should be aware of when it comes to spotting fake or fraudulent conferences.
1. The conference name seems off
You can’t judge a book by its cover, but you should undoubtedly judge a conference by its name. This should be your first indication that something might be off.
2. The scope of the conference is too broad
A legitimate conference should have a pretty well defined and pointed scope. When you read the scope of the conferences program, are they covering way too many diverse topics?
5. There is something strange about the website
Fraudulent event organizers will not take the time to develop a flawless website — they are cutting corners and maximising profits. So the conference website can often give you a good indication of how legitimate they are.
6. The contact details are not quite right
If you can’t find their contact details easily, there might be a problem. If they are legitimate, all their contact details should be clear and correct.
7. They ask for personal information
Any time an organization starts fishing for personal information, be aware that they might be fraudulent and trying to rip you off.
8. Big companies sponsoring a small, low-profile conference
Does there seem to be a disconnect between the size of the event and the level of the sponsors?
How do fake conferences work?
Fake conferences often try to attract as many people as possible by covering a vast array of topics within a discipline. Be wary of conferences which cover extremely broad themes within a field, especially if it’s not clear how each of the topics are related to the subject.
Is there a scam on websites?
Yes, scammers are sophisticated, but they’re playing a volume game aiming for the highest possible audience. A bit of online research and a keen eye should uncover mistakes caused by taking short-cuts with relative ease.
