The Rise of Sophisticated Journal Cloning Scams: A Threat to Academic Publishing
In recent years, the academic community has faced a disturbing challenge: journal cloning. Once limited to targeting niche or university journals, these scams have evolved, becoming more sophisticated and even infiltrating the domain of major publishers like Springer Nature, Elsevier, and Wiley. The growing menace not only threatens the integrity of scholarly publishing but also compromises the hard work of researchers worldwide.
What Are Cloned Journals?
Cloned journals are fraudulent imitations of legitimate scholarly journals. These fake versions typically copy the ISSN, title, and metadata of the original journals to deceive authors into submitting manuscripts. Historically, these forgeries targeted lesser-known journals, often with low-quality websites that made them relatively easy to spot.
However, the game has changed. Journal hijackers are now targeting prominent publications, employing advanced website designs that closely mimic the originals. This shift has made identifying and avoiding these scams significantly more challenging for researchers.
Recent Developments: A New Wave of Cloning
A recent discovery has uncovered a startling escalation in cloning activity. A company operating under the name Springer Global Publication—with no affiliation to Springer Nature—was found cloning the websites of leading journals from Elsevier, Springer, and even the American Medical Association.
Hallmarks of the Scam
1. Advanced Website Design:
The cloned websites replicate the professional layouts of legitimate journals, complete with cookie pop-ups and interactive features.
Example: A cloned version of Elsevier’s Language Sciences appeared nearly identical to the official website, save for a small but crucial difference in the domain name—sciencedirects.com instead of the authentic sciencedirect.com.
The fake version can be identified from the domain name, which is sciencedirects.com, not sciencedirect.com, as in the original Elsevier website.
This screenshot comes from the original journal, for comparison.
These sites use URLs that closely resemble the legitimate domains, such as springer.uk.com instead of springer.com. Such minor alterations can easily go unnoticed by unsuspecting authors.
In another example, the following screenshot shows a paper published in Educational Technology Research and Development. The design of this webpage mimics that of the original Springer journal. The only detail revealing the scam is the domain name: springer.uk.com instead of the official springer.com.
3. Fake DOIs:
All papers published by Springer Global Publication were assigned DOIs with the prefix 10.70706, unrelated to the official DOI prefixes of Elsevier or Springer.
4. Paper Mill Characteristics:
The company advertised services such as ghostwriting, manuscript editing, data analysis, and peer-review management—services commonly associated with unethical "paper mills."
Actions Taken
After being contacted about their fraudulent activities, Springer Global Publication removed descriptions of their services from their website and links to papers published in cloned journals. However, their operations have already left a mark on the academic community, highlighting the urgency of addressing this issue.
The Broader Impact on Academia
The rise of such scams undermines the integrity of academic publishing in several ways:
- Damage to Researchers: Authors who unknowingly submit to cloned journals may face reputational harm and waste valuable time and resources.
- Erosion of Trust: As these scams grow more sophisticated, the trust between researchers, publishers, and readers is at risk.
- Compromised Databases: Fraudulent journals sometimes succeed in indexing their content in bibliographic databases like Scopus or Web of Science, further blurring the line between genuine and fake scholarship.
How to Identify Cloned Journals
1. Verify the URL: Check the journal’s domain name carefully. Fraudulent websites often use slightly altered URLs. Use official publisher directories to cross-check.
2. Inspect the DOI: Verify the DOI prefix against the CrossRef database. Unfamiliar prefixes should raise red flags.
3. Use Hijacked Journal Tools: Platforms like the Retraction Watch Hijacked Journal Checker catalog cloned journals, making it easier to identify known scams.
4. Scrutinize Communication: Be wary of unsolicited emails inviting manuscript submissions, especially if they promise fast-track publication.
5. Check Publisher Credentials: Visit the publisher’s official website to confirm the journal’s legitimacy.
What Can Publishers and Institutions Do?
1. Raise Awareness: Institutions should educate researchers about the risks of cloned journals and provide resources to verify journal authenticity.
2. Strengthen Cybersecurity: Publishers must invest in advanced cybersecurity measures to safeguard their websites against cloning attempts.
3. Collaborate on Databases: A centralized, global database of legitimate journals, maintained by trusted organizations, could serve as a valuable tool for researchers.
Overall, a search through Crossref identified 13 journals to which “Springer Global Publications” has assigned DOIs. All of these journals have similar names to those established by legitimate publishers:
A Call to Action
The rise of sophisticated journal cloning scams is a wake-up call for the academic community. Combating these threats requires a collective effort from researchers, publishers, and institutions. By staying vigilant, educating ourselves, and leveraging available tools, we can protect the integrity of academic publishing and preserve the trust that underpins scholarly communication.
Have you encountered suspicious journals or websites? Share your experiences and strategies for identifying them in the comments. Together, we can outsmart the scammers and safeguard the future of research.
Source: Retraction Watch https://retractionwatch.com/2024/11/25/exclusive-new-hijacking-scam-targets-elsevier-springer-nature-and-other-major-publishers/
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