Scopus conferences should be a badge of quality — but unfortunately, predatory conferences have turned the landscape into a minefield. We've heard horror stories from researchers who paid hundreds or even thousands of pounds to attend "Scopus-indexed" conferences, only to discover their papers were never indexed at all.

If you want to protect your time, money, and reputation, this survival guide is essential reading.

What Is a Predatory Conference?

A predatory conference is an event organised primarily to extract money from researchers rather than to advance academic knowledge. These conferences typically:

• Charge high fees for minimal services
• Accept virtually any paper regardless of quality
• Falsely claim indexing in databases like Scopus, Web of Science, or PubMed
• Provide poor or non-existent peer review
• Operate under vague or constantly changing names to avoid detection

They prey on early-career researchers, non-native English speakers, and anyone under pressure to publish quickly.

The 7 Warning Signs of a Predatory Conference

Here's our checklist for spotting a dodgy conference:

1. Unsolicited email invitations. If you receive a flattering email out of nowhere inviting you to present at a conference, be cautious. Legitimate conferences rarely recruit via spam.

2. Guaranteed Scopus indexing. No conference can guarantee Scopus indexing before papers are reviewed and published. If they're promising it upfront, something's off.

3. Unrealistically fast review times. "Submit today, get accepted tomorrow" is not how rigorous peer review works.

4. Vague conference details. Can't find information about the venue, the programme committee, or the conference history? That's a problem.

5. No verifiable track record. Search for past editions on Scopus. If nothing comes up, think twice.

6. High fees with unclear benefits. Legitimate conferences are transparent about what your registration fee covers.

7. Multiple conferences at the same venue and time. Some predatory operators run several "conferences" simultaneously at the same hotel, maximising revenue while minimising effort.

Real-World Patterns We've Seen

Without naming specific events, here are patterns we've observed:

• A conference advertising "Scopus and WoS indexing" that published proceedings through a publisher with no Scopus relationship whatsoever
• An event claiming IEEE sponsorship that had no official IEEE record
• A "prestigious international conference" held at a budget hotel with 15 attendees and no programme committee
• Conferences that change their name every year to escape negative reviews

The common thread? They all looked legitimate on the surface. Due diligence is the only reliable defence.

How to Protect Yourself

We recommend following these steps to stay safe:

• Always verify Scopus indexing independently through the official Scopus source list
• Check the publisher — reputable publishers like Springer, IEEE, and ACM are generally trustworthy
• Search for reviews from other researchers who've attended previous editions
• Use trusted platforms like AIScholar (aischolar.com) that vet and verify conferences before listing them
• Consult your supervisor or colleagues before committing to an unfamiliar conference
• Trust your instincts — if something feels too good to be true, it probably is

What to Do If You've Been Scammed

If you've already submitted to a predatory conference, don't panic. Here's what we suggest:

• Withdraw your paper before it's published if possible
• Report the conference to your institution and relevant academic communities
• Share your experience on platforms like Think.Check.Attend to warn other researchers
• Learn from it — everyone makes mistakes, and this is a lesson in vigilance

The most important thing is to not let it happen again.

FAQs

Q: Are all conferences that email me predatory?
A: Not all, but unsolicited emails are a common predatory tactic. Always verify independently before engaging.

Q: Can a predatory conference become legitimate later?
A: It's rare. Most predatory operators are in it for the money, not academic advancement.

Q: Is there an official blacklist of predatory conferences?
A: There's no single authoritative blacklist, but resources like Think.Check.Attend provide guidance. Using a verified platform like AIScholar is another layer of protection.

Q: Our institution requires Scopus publications. How do we stay safe?
A: Use the verification steps in this guide, lean on trusted platforms, and always check the official Scopus source list before submitting.

Stay Sharp, Stay Safe

Predatory conferences are a stain on the academic world, but you don't have to be a victim. Armed with the right knowledge and a healthy dose of scepticism, you can navigate the landscape with confidence.

We urge you to stick to verified Scopus conferences, do your homework, and use platforms like AIScholar that take verification seriously. Your research is valuable — make sure it ends up in the right place.