Videnskabelig spam

INTRODUCTION: Predatory publishing has led to an increasing amount of scientific spam mails addressed to medical researchers. This study aimed at characterising this spam further.

METHODS: Prospective study of spam received during a three-month-period.

RESULTS: A total of 137 spam e-mails with scientific contents were received. The majority (88%) was automatically led to the spam filter. The mails represented various invitations from journals (77%), conferences (19%) and other (4%). Most of the mails used titles, had opening lines or flattery contents, and spelling, grammar or layout errors were common.

CONCLUSION: Since spam filters are not completely accurate, screening is often necessary, however, responding to unsolicited predatory scientific spam should be avoided.