GoKawiilNature investigation finds network of sham scientific societies misusing researchers' names
Nature's exclusive investigation identified a network of academic societies that inflated their membership rolls through deceptive practices, including listing prominent scientists as members without their consent and fabricating ties to established academies in Europe and the US. The investigation found doctored images of conference venues and buildings, plus advertisements for a $10,000 virtual PhD programme and a $2,000 virtual postdoctoral programme, with WeChat posts showing consultancies offering help joining these groups.